AN ULTRALIGHT PLT HAD HIS NOSE GEAR FAIL WHEN HE TAXIED OFF OF THE RWY.

Date: 1992-06 · Aircraft: Ultralight

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|conflict-ground-conflict|less-severe|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|other-unspecified|other-runway-or-taxiway-excursion

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.