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NTSB Report

July 7, 2005 · Helio H-250 · N333TB

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Helio H-250
Tail Number
N333TB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05LA097

The first pilot, a certificated flight instructor, was providing flight instruction and recurrent training to the second pilot, a certificated private pilot. The first pilot said that after an uneventful touchdown on the dry and paved asphalt runway, a loud shuddering noise was heard as the second pilot applied the brakes. As the landing roll continued, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the runway. The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing. A postaccident review of the fractured right main landing gear leg assembly in the fracture zone, disclosed brownish rust-colored deposits that covered about 1/4 of the circumference of the main landing gear tube. The remaining 3/4 circumference of the main landing gear tube had a 45-degree sheer lip, with the fracture surfaces consistent with an overload failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fracture failure of the main landing gear leg during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear.

Full Narrative

On July 6, 2005, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, N333TB, a tailwheel-equipped Helio H-250 airplane, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The first pilot, a certificated flight instructor seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, a private pilot seated in the left seat, were not injured. The second pilot owned the accident airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, about 1700. During an on scene conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 6, the first pilot reported that he was providing flight instruction/recurrent training to the second pilot. The first pilot said that after an uneventful touchdown on the dry and paved asphalt of runway 24, a loud shuddering noise was heard as the second pilot applied the brakes. As they continued the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the runway. The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing. A postaccident inspection revealed that the right main landing gear leg assembly had fractured about 6 inches from the fuselage attach point. According to the airplane owner, the fractured main landing gear leg assembly, part number 250-040-451-1, had accumulated about 7,006 hours in service. The main landing gear leg assembly is constructed of 1/8-inch steel, which is molded and welding to form a 2-inch square steel tube. The main landing gear leg is covered by a contoured fairing assembly that conceals the area that fractured on the accident airplane. A visual inspection of the fractured right main landing gear leg assembly in the fracture zone area, revealed brownish rust-colored deposits that covered about 1/4 of the circumference of the main landing gear tube. The remaining 3/4 circumference of the main landing gear tube had a 45-degree sheer lip.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportMerrill Field (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHelio H-250
Tail NumberN333TB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 42 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.48 inHg
Observation Time20:59
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data