N6425

Substantial
None

Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000S/N: 766

Accident Details

Date
Friday, April 16, 2004
NTSB Number
MIA04LA087
Location
Port St. Lucie, FL
Event ID
20040601X00702
Coordinates
27.241945, -80.488891
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent swerve, the right main landing gear wheel separating, and the airplane impacting trees and incurring structural damage.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CURTISS-WRIGHT
Serial Number
766
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
Travel Air 4000
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
3
FAA Model
TRAVEL AIR 4000

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
CAVANAUGH FLIGHT MUSEUM
Address
4572 CLAIRE CHENNAULT ST
City
ADDISON
State / Zip Code
TX 75001-5321
Country
United States

Analysis

On April 16, 2004, about 1900 eastern standard time, a Curtis-Wright Travel Air 4000, N6425, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, incurred damage while landing at Treasure Coast Airpark, Port St. Lucie, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Lakeland, Florida, the same day, about 1750.

The pilot stated that during rollout the "right wheel broke and directional control was impossible." He further stated that the airplane incurred damage to the lower right wing's three nose ribs, which needed to be replaced.

The FAA did not respond to the scene of the accident, however, two individuals who reside at the airport stated that they were at the scene of the accident, and they volunteered information to the NTSB. These individuals stated that they 'walked" the runway", and noted the marks made by the effect of landing gear on the grass, and that there were no holes in the runway. They further stated that they believed that the landing gear wheel broke from what appeared to be excessive side loads imposed during what appeared to be the beginning of a ground loop during the landing roll.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA04LA087