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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 30, 2002 · Barker Experimental · N9097F

Panacea, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Panacea, FL
Aircraft
Barker Experimental
Tail Number
N9097F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL02LA164

The pilot flew a normal approach to a rough, bumpy turf runway. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear at 60 knots, and when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane bounced three to four feet into the air. The airplane touched down on the main landing again, and when the nose settled on the runway, the airplane immediately flipped inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel was separated and the vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained crush damage. The pilot stated the nose wheel was found about 60 feet from the fuselage. The pilot stated the u-shaped aluminum bracket bolted to the nose wheel strut was found broken at the weld. Further examination by two welding experts revealed that the weld was "insufficient" on the shear points of the u-shaped aluminum bracket, and the weld had not completely penetrated the metal.

NTSB Probable Cause

The builders inadequate weld on the nose gear u-shaped bracket, that resulted in the nose wheel strut failure, and subsequent nose over during an attempted landing.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 2002, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a John Barker experimental airplane, N9097F, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over inverted during landing at the Wakulla County airstrip in Panacea, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. The private pilot reported no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Perry Foley Airport in Perry, Florida, about 1330. The pilot stated he flew a normal approach to runway 18 at 70 knots. He stated the airplane touched down on the main landing gear at 60 knots, and when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane bounced three to four feet into the air. He stated the airplane touched down on the main landing gear again, and when the nose settled on the runway, the airplane immediately flipped inverted. The pilot stated the turf runway has a rough, bumpy surface. Initial examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel was separated, the vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained crush damage, and the propeller was damaged. The pilot stated the nose wheel was found about 60 feet from the fuselage near visible tracks in the turf where the main landing wheels initially touched down. The pilot stated the u-shaped aluminum bracket bolted to the nose wheel strut was found broken at the weld. Further examination by two welding experts revealed that the weld was "insufficient" on the shear points of the u-shaped aluminum bracket, and the weld had not completely penetrated the metal.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWakulla County (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2785 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBarker Experimental
Tail NumberN9097F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2700 ft
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data