Summary
On September 21, 2017, a Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT (N233TD) was involved in an accident near Old Forge, NY. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The separation of the wheel assembly during landing due to the pilot’s use of improper retaining nuts when he installed the tundra tires.
According to the pilot in the experimental amateur built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, he touched down on a turf surface runway and the airplane bounced.
When the airplane descended to the surface, the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly separated from the landing gear leg. The pilot reported that the airplane "skidded down" the runway and nosed over.
He reported that he had recently installed tundra tires on the airplane, and that the four bolts that came with the tundra tire kit, were not long enough to properly secure the wheel and brake assembly to the landing gear leg. He recalled that he used four bolts that were longer, however, they were not provided by the manufacturer.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA554. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N233TD.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The separation of the wheel assembly during landing due to the pilot’s use of improper retaining nuts when he installed the tundra tires.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the pilot in the experimental amateur built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, he touched down on a turf surface runway and the airplane bounced.
When the airplane descended to the surface, the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly separated from the landing gear leg. The pilot reported that the airplane "skidded down" the runway and nosed over.
He reported that he had recently installed tundra tires on the airplane, and that the four bolts that came with the tundra tire kit, were not long enough to properly secure the wheel and brake assembly to the landing gear leg. He recalled that he used four bolts that were longer, however, they were not provided by the manufacturer. He asserted that the nuts that were used to retain the bolts were provided in the wheel assembly kit.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the left-wing spar.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA554