Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 11AC near Marshall, MI — 2009-09-05

Final reportCEN09LA567
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Date
2009-09-05
Location
Marshall, MI, USA
Aircraft
AERONCA 11AC
Registration
N3383E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The failure of the main landing gear attach point.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after liftoff he heard a "thump" and someone on the ground radioed him saying that his right landing gear looked "crooked." The pilot stated that because his aircraft battery was low he could not transmit over the radio. He decided to make an off-airport landing in a field instead of trying to land at the busy airport that he had just departed. The right main landing gear collapsed during the landing and the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane revealed the right main landing gear oleo strut attachment fitting failed, allowing the landing gear to collapse. The last annual inspection on the airplane was dated August 7, 2000. The pilot reported that an annual inspection may have detected the failure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to the airport after hearing the thump.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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