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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 12, 1997 · Cessna 140 · N4275N

Arlington, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Arlington, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N4275N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA167

The tailwheel equipped airplane incurred substantial damage during a nose-over on the landing roll following the separation of the right-main wheel from its associated strut. The pilot reported that he touched down on his main wheels on the sod runway, bounced once, then 'seemed to settle into a normal run-out'. The pilot stated that 'a second or two later' he felt a heavy yaw to the right as the right landing gear dug into the turf. The landing-gear axle was found to have failed. The landing-gear strut dug into the turf, causing the aircraft to nose over.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the right-main landing gear axle after landing.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On Saturday, July 12, 1997, approximately 0950 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N4275N, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, incurred substantial damage during a nose-over on the landing roll following the separation of the right-main wheel from its associated strut. The accident occurred at the Arlington Municipal airport, Arlington, Washington, and the pilot and passenger were uninjured. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Snohomish, Washington, approximately 0920. The pilot reported that he arrived in the Arlington airport area and contacted the temporary control tower for instructions. The Arlington airport was hosting the annual Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in and there was considerable air traffic around the airport at the time. The pilot was given authorization to land on a "grass strip" being used as an alternate landing site adjacent to runway 34. The pilot stated that while he was on short final approach, he noticed "several orange cones around some red plastic strips" at the approach end of the grass strip. The cones and strips represented a "X" to indicate that the glider strip was closed to powered aircraft due to fly-in activities. The pilot reported that he touched down on his main wheels, bounced once, then "seemed to settle into a normal run-out". The pilot stated that "a second or two later" he felt a heavy yaw to the right as the right landing gear dug into the turf. The landing-gear axle sheared off and the landing-gear strut dug into the turf, causing the aircraft to nose over. According to the FAA representative on site, a different grass strip was intended for use during the fly-in.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:50 PDT
Nearest AirportArlington Municipal (1nm NNW)
Runway34
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN4275N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data