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October 8, 2004 · Sinclair Zenith 701 · N701TD

Augusta, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Augusta, KS
Aircraft
Sinclair Zenith 701
Tail Number
N701TD
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05CA003

The experimental amateur-built tailwheel airplane sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed over during a landing. The pilot's accident report stated, "On touch down at private strip, landing slightly heavy but nothing excessive. Left main wheel contacted a slight depression and the axle separated. Left gear mainspring dug in causing plane to nose over [and] rotate to the left. Left over momentum caused the right wing to then strike the runway. After stopping, the tail then dropped back onto the ground." The pilot's safety recommendation stated that the "accident would not have happened if the axle assembly have been designed with adequate structure ... ." The axle manufacturer stated that ownership changed in November of 2000. The earlier company produced the WHLA7 Flange Mount Axles shipped with the accident airplane's kit. The current company designed the same model axle to have a "reinforcing ring welded to the base at the axle flange interface and the larger diameter hole in the flange base that accepts the axle stub." The manufacturer issued a Service Bulletin SRV101804 that showed the new design and an exchange program. That service bulletin is available through their website, www.matcomfg.com, on its technical support page.

NTSB Probable Cause

The manufacturer's inadequate design/production of the landing gear axle leading to its separation and the airplanes subsequent nose over during the landing roll.. A factor was the axle's separation from its spring.

Full Narrative

On October 8, 2004, about 1800 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built tailwheel Sinclair Zenith CH 701 airplane, N701TD, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed over during a landing at a private airstrip near Augusta, Kansas. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Augusta, Kansas, at 1750. The pilot's accident report stated: On touch down at private strip, landing slightly heavy but nothing excessive. Left main wheel contacted a slight depression and the axle separated. Left gear mainspring dug in causing plane to nose over [and] rotate to the left. Left over momentum caused the right wing to then strike the runway. After stopping, the tail then dropped back onto the ground. The pilot stated that there was 68.5 hours of total time on the axle assembly and his safety recommendation stated that the "accident would not have happened if the axle assembly have been designed with adequate structure ... ." Matco Mfg, the axle manufacturer, was contacted. The manufacturer stated that ownership changed in November of 2000. The earlier company produced the WHLA7 Flange Mount Axles shipped with the accident airplane's kit. The current company designed the same model axle to have a "reinforcing ring welded to the base at the axle flange interface and the larger diameter hole in the flange base that accepts the axle stub." The manufacturer issued a Service Bulletin SRV101804 that showed the new design and an exchange program. That service bulletin is available through their website, www.matcomfg.com, on its technical support page and is appended to the docket material associated with this case.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway36
Runway Length700 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSinclair Zenith 701
Tail NumberN701TD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 UL · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data