Summary
On April 18, 2008, a Veldhuizen Highlander (N8888V) was involved in an incident near Onida, SD. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The separation of the right main wheel from the landing gear during takeoff for an undetermined reason.. Contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain and that directional control was not possible.
The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from a rough farm field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent. The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI08CA111. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8888V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The separation of the right main wheel from the landing gear during takeoff for an undetermined reason.. Contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain and that directional control was not possible.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from a rough farm field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent. The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA111