Pilot Debrief

WACO UPF 7 near Brunswick, GA — 2017-07-03

Final reportERA17LA253
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Date
2017-07-03
Location
Brunswick, GA, USA
Airport
SSI
Aircraft
WACO UPF 7
Registration
N134Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gear strut brace for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, while taxiing for takeoff, the right main landing gear (MLG) strut brace broke at the fuselage attachment point, which resulted in the right MLG collapsing and the outboard portion of the lower right wing sustaining substantial damage. The pilot moved the airplane from the taxiway, repaired the strut brace by welding it back onto the fuselage where it had broken, and then towed the airplane to his hangar. The pilot's welding of the strut brace back onto the fuselage at the point where it had broken precluded an examination of the fracture surfaces. The reason for the strut's failure could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected the landing gear before taxiing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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