AN ULTRALIGHT PLT HAD HIS NOSE GEAR FAIL WHEN HE TAXIED OFF OF THE RWY.
Synopsis
AN ULTRALIGHT PLT HAD HIS NOSE GEAR FAIL WHEN HE TAXIED OFF OF THE RWY.
Narrative
ON JUN/THU/92; AFTER A BRIEF FLT FROM SALISBURY-WICOMICO ARPT; MY PAX AND I LANDED AT APPROX XA20. THIS TYPE OF ACFT IS A 2 SEAT ULTRALIGHT TYPE THAT IS REGISTERED. THIS ACFT HAS NO BRAKES ON THE MAIN GEAR AND IT HAS A CASTERING NOSEWHEEL. I CAME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP ON THE ACTIVE AND TO START MY TURN ON THE TAXIWAY; I THROTTLED UP TO BLAST THE RUDDER SO I COULD MAKE THE TURN. I MADE IT APPROX 25 FT ONTO THE TAXIWAY WHEN I LOST MY STEERING CTL AND THE ACFT RAN OFF THE TAXIWAY AND ONTO THE GRASS. AT THE INSTANT I HIT THE GRASS; THE NOSEWHEEL BROKE OFF AND I STOPPED WITHIN 10 FT. AFTER EXITING THE ACFT; I NOTICED THAT THE CASTERING NOSEWHEEL HOUSING FOR THE BEARING HAD FAILED WHICH LED ME TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CTL AND RUN INTO THE GRASS; THUS BREAKING THE NOSEWHEEL COMPLETELY LOOSE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE BROKEN NOSEWHEEL IN THIS CASE. THIS ACFT IS AN ULTRALIGHT 2 SEAT ULTRALIGHT KIT THAT I BUILT AND HAVE BEEN FLYING SINCE 1983. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE BROKEN NOSEWHEEL; I HAVE DECIDED TO DO AWAY WITH THE CAST METAL HOUSING FOR THE BEARING WHICH I BELIEVE IS TOO BRITTLE AND I WILL BE BUILDING A STRONGER NOSEWHEEL CASTERING MECHANISM WHICH I WILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS; PLEASE CALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.