What happened
On 29 May 2021, a Eurofox 912(S), registration G-CGYG, was performing a private flight at Highland Gliding Club, located at Easterton Airfield, Elgin. The aircraft was conducting its third landing following a recent replacement of the nosewheel tyre. Shortly after touchdown, the nosewheel and its fairing detached from the nose leg fork. The fork subsequently dug into the soft ground and snapped, causing the aircraft to pitch forward and flip onto its roof. The pilot sustained one minor injury to the arm but was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the nosewheel and fairing a short distance from the aircraft, with the axle still fitted to the wheel. Evidence of paint transfer between the wheel hub and the fair to indicate contact, and worn paint was noted around the axle holes of the nose leg fork. Crucially, the axle holes in the fork remained undamaged, suggesting the axle had not been routed through them.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the aircraft's maintenance manual lacked specific instructions for refitting the nosewheel after a tyre change. While the procedure for removal was present, the refitting process was not detailed. Recreations at the manufacturer's UK facility demonstrated that the nose leg fork could become clamped between the wheel hub bearings and the fairing. In this configuration, the wheel appears firmly attached and spins freely, but the axle is not actually secured through the fork.
Findings
- The nose leg failed due to an overload stress.
- The nosewheel had been incorrectly refitted such that the axle was not routed through the nose leg fork holes.
- The nose leg fork was instead clamped between the wheel hub bearings and the fairing.
- The maintenance manual did not provide a specific procedure for the refitting of the nosewheel assembly.