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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 14, 1983 · Bellanca 7ECA · N53842

St. Joseph, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 14, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
St. Joseph, MO
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ECA
Tail Number
N53842
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC84LA021

THE ACFT NOSED DOWN DURING LANDING AFTER THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE 2ND TOUCH- AND-GO LANDING, HE FELT A VIBRATION AND SAW THE LEFT GEAR STRUT TRAILING AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE PLT CHOSE TO LAND ON THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED DOWN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ATTACH BOLT, BELLANCA PN MS20007, HAD BROKEN. THE NTSB LAB FOUND THAT THE BOLT REVEALED FEATURES TYPICAL OF HIGH STRESS FATIGUE CRACKING OVER MOST OF THE FRACTURE FACE. TWO SEPARATE REGIONS OF FATIGUE CRACKING WERE NOTICEABLE ON THE FRACTURE FACE.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT NOSED DOWN DURING LANDING AFTER THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE 2ND TOUCH- AND-GO LANDING, HE FELT A VIBRATION AND SAW THE LEFT GEAR STRUT TRAILING AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE PLT CHOSE TO LAND ON THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED DOWN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ATTACH BOLT, BELLANCA PN MS20007, HAD BROKEN. THE NTSB LAB FOUND THAT THE BOLT REVEALED FEATURES TYPICAL OF HIGH STRESS FATIGUE CRACKING OVER MOST OF THE FRACTURE FACE. TWO SEPARATE REGIONS OF FATIGUE CRACKING WERE NOTICEABLE ON THE FRACTURE FACE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CST
Nearest AirportRosecrans Mem (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7ECA
Tail NumberN53842
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data