N282DL

On July 28, 2012, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a Oscar D Lee III RV-7 experimental amateur-built airplane, N282DL, sustained substantial damage when it exited the runway during takeoff from the Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, Indiana. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, about mid-point of the takeoff roll, the airplane veered sharply to the left. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane showed the right wing and aileron were buckled, and the right main landing gear was partially collapsed.

Examination of the airplane by an experienced RV builder/owner/repairman revealed the right main landing gear attach bolt had sheared and failed. Under direction of the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the owner shipped the failed bolt to the NTSB materials laboratory for examination. The NTSB materials laboratory did not receive the bolt and the owner could not locate the shipment. Subsequently, the reason for the bolt failure could not be determined.

The most recent conditional inspection was completed on October 12, 2011. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 272.5 total hours.