Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the left main axle during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear. A crosswind on the landing runway was a factor.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On April 4, 2007, at 1840 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N882JB, experienced a left main landing gear failure during the landing roll at the Ocala International Airport, Ocala Florida. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight which departed from Weirsdale, Florida, at 1820 eastern daylight time.
In a telephone conversation and written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 18, the aircraft suddenly veered to the right. The pilot attempted to control the aircraft using the rudder and control stick with no success. The left wing struck the ground and the right wing raised as the left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft came to a stop.
At the time of the accident, the local METAR information was reporting a wind from 250 degrees at 12 knots. The sky was clear.
In a postaccident inspection, an airframe mechanic determined that the left axle broke at the exit of the landing gear strut.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA07LA098