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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 23, 1988 · Cessna 172M · N12840

Plymouth, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N12840
Operator
Larson David A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA88LA235

AFTER A NORMAL LNDG, DURING THE LNDG ROLL AT APRX 50-55 MPH, THE ACFT ROLLED THROUGH A 1-2' DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER. THE ACFT SLOWED & AT APRX 35 MPH, THE RT MAIN LNDG GEAR SLOWLY BEGAN ROTATING AFT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST SUPPORTED BY THE RT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & THE NOSE & LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED GEAR REVEALED THE ATTACH BOLT FOR THE GEAR SPRING ASSY FAILED, ALLOWING THE GEAR TO ROTATE AFT. EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT REVEALED IT FAILED DUE TO EXCESS SHEAR LOADS PLACED ON IT DURING TORSIONAL LOADING OF THE UPPER END OF THE LNDG GEAR TUBE. THE BOLT ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF FRETTING. HARDNESS TESTS PERFORMED REVEALED THE BOLT WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS.

Full Narrative

AFTER A NORMAL LNDG, DURING THE LNDG ROLL AT APRX 50-55 MPH, THE ACFT ROLLED THROUGH A 1-2' DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER. THE ACFT SLOWED & AT APRX 35 MPH, THE RT MAIN LNDG GEAR SLOWLY BEGAN ROTATING AFT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST SUPPORTED BY THE RT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & THE NOSE & LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED GEAR REVEALED THE ATTACH BOLT FOR THE GEAR SPRING ASSY FAILED, ALLOWING THE GEAR TO ROTATE AFT. EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT REVEALED IT FAILED DUE TO EXCESS SHEAR LOADS PLACED ON IT DURING TORSIONAL LOADING OF THE UPPER END OF THE LNDG GEAR TUBE. THE BOLT ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF FRETTING. HARDNESS TESTS PERFORMED REVEALED THE BOLT WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest AirportOrlando County (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN12840
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLarson David A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:20
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data