Pilot Debrief

CANADIAN CAR & FOUNDRY HARVARD near Somerset, KY — 2016-07-11

Final reportGAA16CA373
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Date
2016-07-11
Location
Somerset, KY, USA
Airport
SME
Aircraft
CANADIAN CAR & FOUNDRY HARVARD
Registration
N99CV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in runway excursion, and collision with an airport sign.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, and after the tail wheel touched down, the airplane swerved to the right, then to the left, and veered off the runway to the right and impacted an airport sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. Following a postaccident examination of the right/left main landing gear wheel, the pilot sent an email to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, regarding the Timken bearing for the main landing gear wheel, this email stated in part: "The bearing itself is a stock Timken 18200 bearing, nothing special. While jacked up the wheel turns fine by hand. And this is unlike any failed bearing I've seen. And getting close to a CND (cannot duplicate) condition. I think it is possible the bearing was in the process of failing. At touchdown speeds (approximately 60-80 knots) with little weight on wheels the bearing could lock up or freeze momentarily causing the aircraft to veer right". A photo of the Timken 18200 tapered roller bearing was sent to the manufacturer for further examination. The manufacturer examined the photo and concluded that there was no evidence of damage or scoring, and further reported that if the bearing would have seized, he would have expected to see damage to the rolling contact surfaces.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected the bearing more thoroughly before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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