Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A185F near Miami, FL — 2015-08-31

Final reportERA15LA372
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Date
2015-08-31
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Airport
TMB
Aircraft
CESSNA A185F
Registration
N186AZ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the left main landing gear wheel from its strut.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, after a normal landing, during the landing roll about 25 knots, the left main landing gear wheel separated from its strut and the left wing contacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that two of the four bolts that attached the left wheel axle assembly to the landing gear spring strut were fractured. Metallurgical examination of the fractured bolts revealed that, although they exhibited minor iron oxide (corrosion) film on the surface, all fracture features exhibited signatures of overstress separation consistent with a hard landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected landing gear before flight to prevent failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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