Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 7AC near Merritt Island, FL — 2010-11-10

Final reportERA11LA063
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Date
2010-11-10
Location
Merritt Island, FL, USA
Airport
COI
Aircraft
AERONCA 7AC
Registration
N82934
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse and subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was practicing landings when the airplane veered right after touchdown. The pilot corrected with left rudder and the airplane initially corrected left; however, the right main landing gear collapsed and it then veered sharply right against the application of full left brake and rudder. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and came to rest upright in a creek. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right main landing gear attachment point appeared rusty. Metallurgical examination revealed that the front portion of the right main landing gear attachment bracket displayed buckling, bending, cracks on the tension side of the bend, and displacement of material around the hole, consistent with an overload event. Minor surface corrosion pitting was observed on what was left of the outboard portion of the bracket.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after last smooth landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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