On July 7, 1990, a Stinson 108 (registration N677C) operated by Young, Richard G. was involved in an aviation accident near Clovis, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Improper installation of the wheel assembly, which resulted in several parts being missing, leading to a tire wobble and loss of directional control during rollout. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft veered off the runway after landing due to a wobble in the right tire, which was traced to an improperly installed wheel assembly with missing parts.
What happened
The incident occurred during the rollout phase of a landing on Runway 22. Shortly after touchdown, the right main tire began to wobble noticeably. This instability caused the aircraft to veer first to the right and then sharply to the left. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, resulting in the aircraft departing the left side of the paved surface. Upon coming to rest, the airplane had nosed over.
The investigation
A detailed examination of the landing gear assembly was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the excursion. Investigators found that the wheel assembly had been improperly installed. Further inspection revealed that several critical parts were missing from the assembly entirely, which directly contributed to the tire failure and subsequent loss of control.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the missing components within the landing gear wheel assembly. The improper installation of these parts led to mechanical failure during the high-stress rollout phase. This case highlights the critical importance of rigorous post-maintenance inspections to ensure all hardware is present and correctly fitted before flight.
Probable cause
Improper installation of the wheel assembly, which resulted in several parts being missing, leading to a tire wobble and loss of directional control during rollout.
What happened in the 7 Jul 1990 Stinson 108 accident near Clovis, NM?
An aircraft veered off the runway after landing due to a wobble in the right tire, which was traced to an improperly installed wheel assembly with missing parts.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 Jul 1990 involved a Stinson 108, registration N677C, operated by Young, Richard G., at Clovis, NM.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Improper installation of the wheel assembly, which resulted in several parts being missing, leading to a tire wobble and loss of directional control during rollout.
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