Pilot Debrief

PIPER J5A near Biddle, MT — 2011-07-24

Final reportWPR11LA370
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Date
2011-07-24
Location
Biddle, MT, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
PIPER J5A
Registration
N38AW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

Failure of the left main landing gear strut during the landing roll due to a preexisting crack.

NTSB narrative

During the landing roll on the grass airstrip, the nose of the airplane began to drop, and the pilot confirmed that he was not applying excessive brake pressure. The nose continued to descend, then the airplane dropped back onto the tailwheel and onto its left wing. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear aft strut failed, and signatures consistent with a preexisting crack in the aft landing gear strut at the axle knuckle were observed. The area of failure was obscured by fabric covering material, thereby limiting the pilot’s ability to observe the crack during a preflight check.

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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