7 Jul 2019: DONALD BERNARD HIGGS PIETENPOL

7 Jul 2019: DONALD BERNARD HIGGS PIETENPOL — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Anacortes, WA, United States

Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear attachment point during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined because the attachment was not examined, which resulted in a loss of directional control, collision with a drainage culvert, and a subsequent nose-over.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, this was the first test flight after the airplane had been reassembled following purchase and transport. The pilot performed two high-speed taxi runs, he back taxied and subsequently took off.

During the landing roll, "the left front landing gear attachment lugs broke off the mount fitting." The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and ground-looped to the right. The airplane entered a ditch and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing aft lift strut.

Contributing factors

  • cause Main landing gear attach sec — Failure
  • cause Effect on equipment

Conditions

Weather
VMC, vis 10sm

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