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NTSB Report

August 16, 2012 · Meyers OTW-160 · N26490

Worton, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Worton, MD
Aircraft
Meyers OTW-160
Tail Number
N26490
Operator
Guthrie Thomasw
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12LA518

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot's approach to a turf runway in the vintage biplane was normal; however, the landing flare was high and the touchdown was firm. After touchdown, the right main landing gear upper strut arm separated, which resulted in a collapse of the right main landing gear. Metallurgical examination of the fractured upper strut arm revealed the tube was buckled and bent and had fracture features consistent with overstress and bending of the tube in one direction. No evidence of preexisting cracking or fatigue was noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On August 16, 2012, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Meyers OTW-160, N26490, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a landing gear collapse, while landing at a private airstrip in Worton, Maryland. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Wright Field (MD11), Chestertown, Maryland, about 1420. The CFI reported that after fueling at MD11, they flew back to the student pilot's home airstrip to practice landings. The student pilot's approach to the turf runway was normal; however, the flare was "slightly high" and the touchdown was "slightly firm." After touchdown, the right main landing gear upper strut arm separated, which resulted in a collapse of the right main landing gear. The right wing subsequently impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in a vertical position on the runway. The CFI further stated that there appeared to be a preexisting crack on the right main landing gear upper strut arm, and that paint had hid the crack from visual inspection. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The inspector retained the fractured upper strut arm and forwarded it to the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination. Metallurgical examination of the fractured upper strut arm revealed the tube was buckled and bent and had fracture features consistent with overstress and bending of the tube in one direction. No evidence of preexisting cracks or fatigue was noted. The winds were reported as calm during the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width90 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMeyers OTW-160
Tail NumberN26490
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGuthrie Thomasw
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKinner · R56 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 66 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data