Pilot Debrief

SKYKITS CORP SAVANNAH VGW near Helena, MT — 2014-06-07

Final reportWPR14LA238
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Date
2014-06-07
Location
Helena, MT, USA
Airport
40MT
Aircraft
SKYKITS CORP SAVANNAH VGW
Registration
N472WM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The overload failure of the nosewheel fork retaining bolts during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental, light sport aircraft reported that he was conducting touch-and-go landings and takeoffs at his private, turf-covered airstrip. During the seventh landing, the nosewheel folded back, the shaft dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and vertical stabilizer. Two of the four 1/4-inch-diameter bolts holding the nosewheel fork to the shaft were found sheared. The bolts appeared to have sheared under tension, indicating that an overload failure had occurred. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have replaced bolts with stronger ones before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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