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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 10, 2002 · Frank RV-8A · N54LF

Brodhead, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Brodhead, WI
Aircraft
Frank RV-8A
Tail Number
N54LF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA278

During landing on a turf runway, the nose landing gear strut bent rearward and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that the landing touchdown was normal and on the mains with the nose held off of the ground until the airplane slowed down. He said that the nose landing gear touched a small bump and then collapsed. The airplane subsequently nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear strut had bent smoothly through about 90 degrees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the nose landing gear strut for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 2002, at 1230 central daylight time, an amateur-built Frank RV-8A, N54LF, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Brodhead Airport, Brodhead, Wisconsin. During the landing, the nose landing gear strut bent rearward and the airplane nosed over. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The private pilot was not injured and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Rock County Airport, Janesville, Wisconsin at 1210. The pilot stated in a written report that the landing touchdown was normal and on the mains with the nose held off of the ground until the airplane slowed down. He said that the nose landing gear touched a small bump and then collapsed. The airplane subsequently nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear strut had bent smoothly through about 90 degrees. The nose landing gear of the airplane is installed in a tube mount and angles forward and downward from the firewall area. The forward end of the strut is machined to accept a castoring nose wheel assembly. No defects were found in the caster assembly, or in the upper mount near the firewall.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportBRODHEAD (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2430 ft
Runway Width155 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFrank RV-8A
Tail NumberN54LF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time17:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data