Incident Overview
On 25 May 2003 at 1527Z, a Jabiru SP aircraft registered ZU-CKK was operating a private local pleasure flight from Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) with one pilot and one passenger on board. The flight returned to FAGC and landed on Runway 35. During the landing roll, the pilot observed two birds on the runway and applied braking to avoid a possible bird strike. Subsequently, the right-hand undercarriage collapsed, causing the aircraft to depart the right-hand side of the runway.
Injuries and Damage
Both the pilot and passenger sustained no injuries. Other than the collapsed right-hand undercarriage, there was no structural damage to the aircraft. The aircraft's valid Authority To Fly had been issued on 13 June 2002 with an expiry date of 12 June 2003. The last Annual Inspection was certified on 12 June 2003 at 207.8 flying hours, and the aircraft had accumulated an additional 38.2 flying hours since that inspection.
Investigation Findings
Inspection of the right-hand landing gear revealed that the lock nut on one of the undercarriage retaining bolts was stripped, which allowed the undercarriage to collapse during the landing roll.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the incident, the wind was light and variable, with good visibility.
Probable Cause
The right hand undercarriage leg collapsed during the landing roll. Inspection of the right hand landing gear revealed that the lock nut on one of the undercarriage retaining bolts was stripped, which allowed the undercarriage to collapse.