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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 12, 2008 · Spartan 7W · N17662

Santa Fe, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Aircraft
Spartan 7W
Tail Number
N17662
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN08LA064

The pilot was practicing full stop landings and he made a "firm" landing. Shortly thereafter, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane began veering to the right. The pilot made corrective inputs but could not maintain directional control. The airplane departed the runway. The left main landing gear then collapsed. Both wings were bent and the fuselage sustained bulkhead damage. According to NTSB's Materials Laboratory report, the right main landing gear strut "appeared relatively rough and light gray consistent with overstress fracture of a cast aluminum alloy." Examination of the corner radius where the outboard support flange intersects the vertical tube "showed areas with a smooth faceted appearance with curving boundaries consistent with fatigue." Examination of the fractures faces of the left main landing gear strut "showed features indicative of overstress separation...An area of the fracture surface was smooth and shiny, features consistent with smearing associated with the compression side of an overstress fracture in bending."

NTSB Probable Cause

Fatigue failure of the right main landing gear, rendering directional control impossible and causing an overload failure of the left main landing gear.

Full Narrative

On March 12, 2008, at 1140 mountain daylight time, a Spartan 7W, N17662, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when the main landing gear collapsed during a stop and go landing on runway 33 at Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The local flight originated at SAF approximately 1030. According to the pilot's accident report, he was practicing full stop landings on runway 33. The airplane landed "firmly" on the main landing gear and on centerline. Shortly thereafter, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane began veering to the right. The pilot made corrective inputs but could not maintain directional control. The airplane departed the runway. The left main landing gear then collapsed. Both wings were bent and the fuselage sustained bulkhead damage. The airplane was removed from the runway, taken to a hangar, and placed on jacks. Both left and right main trunions were sent to NTSB's Materials Laboratory for examination. According to the metallurgist's factual report, the fracture surfaces of the right main landing gear strut "appeared relatively rough and light gray consistent with overstress fracture of a cast aluminum alloy." Examination of the corner radius where the outboard support flange intersects the vertical tube "showed areas with a smooth faceted appearance with curving boundaries consistent with fatigue." The fracture faces of the left main landing gear strut "showed features indicative of overstress separation...An area of the fracture surface was smooth and shiny, features consistent with smearing associated with the compression side of an overstress fracture in bending."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 MDT
Nearest AirportSanta Fe Municipal (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length6307 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSpartan 7W
Tail NumberN17662
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-985AN-14-8 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 53 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 18 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data