What happened
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft's right main landing gear assembly failed catastrophically. The failure occurred specifically when the gear passed over an arresting cable installed on the runway surface. Prior to this event, the aircraft had experienced damage to its tailwheel after it also struck an arresting cable during a previous landing at Rickenbacker Air Force Base. That damaged tailwheel component had been replaced in an attempt to restore airworthiness before the subsequent flight.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators conducted a detailed examination of the broken landing gear components. The forensic analysis focused on determining the root cause of the structural failure. Technical review revealed no evidence of fatigue failure within the metal components, indicating that the part had not failed due to pre-existing material defects or wear over time.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the direct impact with the arresting cable system during the takeoff phase. The mechanical integrity of the gear was compromised by this sudden, high-force interaction rather than by gradual degradation. The prior incident involving the tailwheel and arresting cable highlighted a recurring hazard at the facility, though the replacement of that specific component did not prevent the subsequent failure of the main gear.
Safety message
Runway arresting systems pose significant risks to aircraft with low ground clearance or specific landing gear configurations. Operators must be aware of the potential for severe damage when taxiing or taking off over these cables, particularly on airfields where such systems are active.