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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 17, 2002 · Cessna 206 · N8515Q

Circle, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Circle, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N8515Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA122

The commercial certificated pilot was landing on a gravel-surfaced runway in a tricycle gear-equipped airplane. During the landing roll, one side of the nose gear wheel flange partially separated from the wheel hub. The nose wheel flange dug into the runway surface, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The airplane was equipped with a McCauley nose wheel assembly, and a 600 X 6 tire. The two halves of the wheel flange are bolted together on either side of the wheel hub assembly with six hex-head bolts per side. The bolts are threaded into the hub, and are required to be torqued to 200 inch-pounds. The bolts are not equipped with any lock-washers. An FAA inspector reported that he traveled to the departure airport, and to the arrival airport. The inspector said that he located one wheel flange bolt at the departure airport, along the accident airplane's departure taxi path to the runway. The bolt, and bolt threads, were undamaged. The inspector located another wheel flange bolt at the destination airport. The bolt was sheared.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial separation of the nose wheel flange from the hub that resulted in a nose over during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On September 17, 2002, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 206 airplane, N8515Q, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at the Circle City Airport, Circle, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by 40 Mile Air Ltd., Tok, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Tok Airport, about 0730. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 17, the director of maintenance for the operator reported that the pilot landed the airplane on the gravel-surfaced runway at Circle. During the landing roll, one side of the nose wheel flange partially separated from the wheel hub. The nose wheel flange dug into the runway surface, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The airplane is equipped with a McCauley nose wheel assembly, and a 600 X 6 tire. The two halves of the wheel flange are bolted together on either side of the wheel hub assembly with six hex-head bolts per side. The bolts are threaded into the hub, and are required to be torqued to 200 inch-pounds. The bolts are not equipped with any lock-washers. On September 18, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported he traveled to the Tok Airport, and to the Circle City Airport. The inspector said that he located one wheel flange bolt at the Tok Airport, along the accident airplane's departure taxi path to the runway. The bolt, and bolt threads, were undamaged. The inspector located another wheel flange bolt at the destination, Circle City Airport. The bolt was sheared.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 AKDT
Nearest AirportCircle City (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN8515Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data