On August 13, 1996, an Aviat A-1 (registration N56LG) was involved in an aviation accident near Worland, WY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Overload fracture of the right main landing gear axle, consistent with a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During touchdown on a turf runway, the right main landing gear of an airplane collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer right and nose over. Examination revealed an overload fracture of the axle.
Event Description
According to the pilot's report, as the airplane touched down on a turf runway, the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently veered to the right and nosed over. No other details of the event sequence were provided.
Post-Accident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed that the right main landing gear had separated at the axle. The fracture was subjected to a metallurgical examination, which determined that the break was due to an overload that initiated on the bottom of the tube and progressed upward. The specialist conducting the test noted that the fracture progression was consistent with a large upward load on the end of the axle, such as would be experienced during a hard landing. However, the exact time at which the overload occurred could not be determined.
Conclusions
The collapse of the right main landing gear was caused by an overload fracture of the axle. The characteristics of the fracture were consistent with a hard landing, though the timing of the overload could not be established.
Probable cause
Overload fracture of the right main landing gear axle, consistent with a hard landing.