On September 29, 2007, a Luscombe 8E (registration N2826K) was involved in an aviation accident near Ramona, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the installation and subsequent failure of an incorrect part, which jammed in one wheel's brake caliper and induced the pilot's loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During landing rollout, the pilot lost directional control, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and ground loop, resulting in a broken wing. Investigation revealed a previously replaced incorrect wheel part led to a bolt shearing and wheel lock.
Incident
During the landing rollout, the pilot experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane veered off the runway, ground looped, and sustained a broken wing.
Investigation
Examination of the airplane's records and landing gear revealed that the left wheel had been replaced with an incorrect part several years earlier. This replacement incorporated different sizes of bolt holes for each half of the wheel. During subsequent operation, one of the through bolts that held the wheel halves together sheared. The sheared bolt became lodged in the brake caliper, causing the left wheel to lock up. The locked wheel induced a turning moment, which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control.