N8638V

On August 16, 2000, at 0935 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N8638V, collapsed the landing gear during landing rollout at a private dirt glider airstrip near Reno, Nevada. The airplane was owned and operated by the Nevada Soaring Association and was engaged in glider towing operations under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and included calm wind conditions. No flight plan was filed for the local area business flight, which originated at the private airstrip about 20 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he was making a 3-point landing after towing a glider aloft. The airplane bounced slightly on touchdown and, on the second ground contact, the pilot heard a snap sound and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane fell down on the right wing and spun around in the dirt.

An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Reno Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane and the runway. The inspector observed the two touchdown markings on the dirt runway and reported that they were about 12-feet apart and not heavy impressions. About 20 feet beyond the second touchdown point, drag markings consistent with a separated main landing gear were found.

The inspector reported that the right main landing gear strut separated near the fuselage with a transverse fracture. A majority of the fracture face appeared dirty and rusty, with the remaining portion exhibiting a pattern of beach markings and a chevron-like pattern.

According to the operator, this airplane has been used exclusively for glider tow operations and has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours. The operator and the FAA inspector estimated the total number of landing cycles somewhere between 15,000 and 16,000 for the life of the part.