Pilot Debrief

FLEET FLEET 16B near Rhinebeck, NY — 2016-07-02

Final reportERA16LA255
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Date
2016-07-02
Location
Rhinebeck, NY, USA
Airport
NY94
Aircraft
FLEET FLEET 16B
Registration
N666J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

Failure of the gear strut mount nut due to wear.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot stated that, during takeoff from a turf runway, the left main landing gear collapsed but did not separate from the airplane; the pilot continued the takeoff. During the subsequent landing, the airplane touched down, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear strut mount nut was stripped, consistent with wear, and the bolt was missing. The airplane was manufactured in 1942, and there was no required inspection for the gear strut mount. The most recent inspection was completed about 38 flight hours before the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing after gear collapse awareness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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