Pilot Debrief

MEYER ROBERT AIR CAM near Hamilton, MT — 2009-08-28

Final reportWPR09CA421
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Date
2009-08-28
Location
Hamilton, MT, USA
Airport
6S5
Aircraft
MEYER ROBERT AIR CAM
Registration
N950TC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The separation of the right main landing gear wheel due to the flight's encounter with soft terrain while landing on an unimproved river sandbar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a landing on an unimproved off-airport surface.

NTSB narrative

The pilot performed three off-airport takeoffs and landings on a river sandbar. During his last landing, a main landing gear wheel separated from his amateur-built twin-engine airplane when an attachment weld sheared. Witnesses were located on a river raft and saw that the airplane appeared to touchdown on a sand/gravel bar that was within 75 yards of their location. During this event, one of the airplane's wheels separated and initially traveled toward them, but then veered away and entered the river. Thereafter, the pilot added power and performed a go-around. When the pilot subsequently landed back at the departure airport, he was unable to maintain directional control of his airplane. The airplane impacted objects, and the right side of the fuselage buckled.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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