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May 27, 2016 · Howell Bob Howell Special NO Series · N4393H

Minden, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Minden, NV
Aircraft
Howell Bob Howell Special NO Series (2009)
Tail Number
N4393H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR16LA117

The private pilot reported that the landing was "normal" but that, during the landing roll, he noticed that the experimental, amateur-built airplane started veering to the left. Shortly thereafter, the right wing suddenly dropped and impacted the runway. He was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, and it veered off the runway because the right main landing gear (MLG) had collapsed. Postaccident examination of the right MLG assembly revealed that the right main tire and wheel had separated from the airplane and that a strut had separated about midpoint. Examination of the fracture features of the right MLG assembly revealed that they exhibited matte-gray features on slant angles, consistent with a ductile overstress fracture. No evidence of preexisting cracks or significant corrosion was observed. The right MLG assembly likely failed due to a hard landing and/or side loading on the MLG.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Main gear strut/axle/truck-Failure - C

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2016, about 1050 Pacific daylight time, an amateur built - experimental Bob Howell, Howell Special airplane, N4393H, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at the Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada, following a landing gear collapse. The private pilot and sole passenger on the airplane were not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated from Bryant Field Airport, Bridgeport, California, about 1015. The pilot reported a normal landing, however, during the landing roll he noticed the airplane started to veer to the left. He counteracted the veering with right rudder, and brake. Shortly thereafter, about 400 ft down the runway, the right wing suddenly dropped and impacted the runway. He was unable to maintain direction control of the airplane as it veered off the runway. There were no witnesses to the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing was substantially damaged. The wreckage was transported to a secure location for further examination. Postaccident examination of the right landing gear assembly revealed that the right main wheel and tire assembly had separated from the airplane. Further, the remaining main gear, a-frame structure, had a strut that had separated about at the midpoint. The bolts and their respective attachment structures that attached the gear assembly to the airframe were intact. All fracture surfaces of the main gear assembly were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further examination. The laboratory determined that the fracture features in the tubular steel structure portions showed matte gray features on slant angles consistent with a ductile overstress fracture. Some areas were observed that were consistent with sliding contact between the fracture surfaces under bending or shear loads. The end fitting was fractured in the threads and also had matte gray fracture features and the adjacent deformation of the threads was consistent with a ductile overstress fracture. No evidence of preexisting cracks or significant corrosion was observed. The owner/builder stated that several years earlier he made a repair to the landing gear where he heated the welds to realign the gear. However, a ductile overstress fracture would be consistent with a hard landing and/or side loading on the main gear.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 PDT
Nearest AirportMinden-Tahoe (0nm NW)
Runway12
Runway Length5300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHowell Bob Howell Special NO Series
Tail NumberN4393H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data