Accident Details
On 13 July 2018 at 1230 UTC, an Ikarus C42 FB80 Ikarus, registration G-ULSY, experienced a left landing gear failure shortly after touchdown at Sandown Airfield, Isle of Wight. The aircraft was conducting a private flight with one pilot and one passenger on board. Neither occupant was injured, and they exited the aircraft without assistance.
The failure caused the left mainwheel to pivot rearwards and inwards toward the fuselage. The aircraft veered left uncontrollably, departed the prepared surface, and came to rest in long grass adjacent to the runway. The landing gear assembly collapsed, resulting in damage to the left gear.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the rod end bolt connecting the drag link to the undercarriage assembly had sheared forward of the rose joint lock nut. The fracture surface of the bolt was located at that point. The pilot reported that the touchdown was not unusually heavy and that braking had not commenced at the time of failure.
Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the bolt shear. Although other aircraft types, such as the Pietenpol Air Camper, have experienced similar rod end bearing failures, this was the first such incident involving an Ikarus C42 reported to the aircraft type's Continued Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO). The CAMO stated it would continue to monitor component failure trends and would take action if rod end reliability became a concern.
Background
The commander held a National Private Pilot's Licence and was 51 years old. His total flying experience was 183 hours, of which 101 hours were on the Ikarus C42 type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 50 hours, including 24 hours in the last 28 days.