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November 9, 2011 · Grenier Raymond VANS Aircraft RV-8 · N220RG

Nashua, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Nashua, NH
Aircraft
Grenier Raymond VANS Aircraft RV-8
Tail Number
N220RG
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12LA069

The pilot and passenger were returning from a local area flight. The wheel landing and landing roll were described as normal. About 1,000 feet down the runway, the right main gear collapsed, and the airplane ground looped. Postaccident examination showed that spring brackets and a bolt from the right main landing gear had fractured. Metallurgical examination revealed that all fractures were due to overload failure. The postaccident examination was unable to determine the initiating event that resulted in the overload failure and landing gear collapse.

NTSB Probable Cause

The right main landing gear collapse due to the overload fracture of the hardware for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident testing and examination.

Full Narrative

On November 9, 2011, at 1134, eastern standard time, an experimental amateur built, Greiner RV-8, N220RG, registered to and operated by an individual, incurred substantial damage during landing when the right main gear collapsed at the Boire Field Airport, Nashua, New Hampshire. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The flight originated from the same airport earlier that day, about 1030. The pilot stated that the pleasure flight was uneventful. The wheel landing and landing roll were normal and about 1,000 feet down the runway, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane then ground looped incurring structural damage to the right wing. Further examination showed the right main gear spring attaching bolt had fractured. The passenger also reported that the landing was uneventful until the ground loop occurred. The pilot reported that the landing gear had accrued approximately 80 hours with an estimated 100 landings, and was original to the manufacturer’s kit. In a discussion with the pilot following the repair of the accident airplane, the pilot reported that a possible explanation for the failed landing gear could have been the hardware installation. The pilot received the airplane partially built with the landing gear assembled. The pilot reported that in this situation, the landing gear bolts are difficult to access. Although the pilot ensured that the appropriate torque was applied to the hardware, he stated that one of the bolts may have not been seated properly. During the rebuild of his airplane, he also identified fretting in the area. There were no photos taken of the fretting. Since the accident, the pilot uses a video borescope to conduct visual examinations of the area. Portions of the outboard and inboard landing gear spring brackets and the fasteners were submitted to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination. All of the fractured components exhibited features consistent with overload failure. X-ray florescence spectroscopy revealed that both landing gear spring brackets were consistent with a 4120 steel alloy.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:34 EST
Nearest AirportBoire Field (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length5501 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrenier Raymond VANS Aircraft RV-8
Tail NumberN220RG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 75 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 50
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data