Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-150 near Sweetwater, TX — 2017-08-18

Final reportCEN17LA324
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Date
2017-08-18
Location
Sweetwater, TX, USA
Airport
SWW
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-150
Registration
N82912
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the overstress failure of the right main landing gear.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that he intended to make a wheel landing with the flaps fully extended following the positioning flight. He stated that he felt a "little bump" shortly after the airplane touched down on the right main landing gear (MLG), and the airplane began to swerve left. The pilot reported that he was unable to regain directional control with full right rudder and right brake inputs. The airplane continued to swerve left and departed the left runway edge; the right MLG collapsed after it entered soft terrain. The airplane came to rest heading about 180° opposite the intended runway heading. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, both main wing spars, and the right elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed several damaged MLG components. Laboratory examination of the damaged MLG components did not identify any evidence of preexisting damage or cracks. The damaged MLG brace tubes and the piston inside the right hydrasorb shock unit had fractured from overstress. The overall damage to the MLG was consistent with a hard landing. It is likely that the internal piston shaft of the right hydrasorb shock unit failed first in bending overstress during the hard landing, which was followed by the overstress failure of both the left and right MLG brace tubes.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after initial bump.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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