Pilot Debrief

BELL BILL KITFOX 6 near Columbus, NC — 2014-11-13

Final reportERA15LA051
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Date
2014-11-13
Location
Columbus, NC, USA
Airport
56NC
Aircraft
BELL BILL KITFOX 6
Registration
N524MB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A loss of directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot initially reported that, while landing his tailwheel-equipped, experimental, amateur-built airplane on the private 1,500-ft-long turf runway, he experienced a loss of directional control without any mechanical malfunctions. The airplane ground looped and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot later stated that the left main wheel axle had separated from the landing gear leg, which precipitated the loss of control. The airplane was not examined after the accident, and review of maintenance logbooks did not reveal any entries pertaining to work performed on the landing gear in the previous year. Because no further examination of the airplane was performed, the reason for the loss of directional control during landing could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected landing gear before flight to prevent failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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