N54LF

On September 10, 2002, at 1230 central daylight time, an amateur-built Frank RV-8A, N54LF, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Brodhead Airport, Brodhead, Wisconsin. During the landing, the nose landing gear strut bent rearward and the airplane nosed over. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The private pilot was not injured and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Rock County Airport, Janesville, Wisconsin at 1210.

The pilot stated in a written report that the landing touchdown was normal and on the mains with the nose held off of the ground until the airplane slowed down. He said that the nose landing gear touched a small bump and then collapsed. The airplane subsequently nosed over.

Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear strut had bent smoothly through about 90 degrees. The nose landing gear of the airplane is installed in a tube mount and angles forward and downward from the firewall area. The forward end of the strut is machined to accept a castoring nose wheel assembly. No defects were found in the caster assembly, or in the upper mount near the firewall.