Pilot Debrief

MEYERS OTW-160 near Worton, MD — 2012-08-16

Final reportERA12LA518
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Date
2012-08-16
Location
Worton, MD, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
MEYERS OTW-160
Registration
N26490
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot's approach to a turf runway in the vintage biplane was normal; however, the landing flare was high and the touchdown was firm. After touchdown, the right main landing gear upper strut arm separated, which resulted in a collapse of the right main landing gear. Metallurgical examination of the fractured upper strut arm revealed the tube was buckled and bent and had fracture features consistent with overstress and bending of the tube in one direction. No evidence of preexisting cracking or fatigue was noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspect landing gear for preexisting damage before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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