OPA LOCKA, FL, USA
N2923B
CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES A-1
The tailwheel gear assembly collapsed on landing, then the aircraft swerved to the left and went off the runway. During the swerve, the right wing contacted the ground and the aircraft was substantially damaged. An exam revealed that a nut was missing from the tailwheel assembly attach bolt, which allowed the tailwheel gear assembly to collapse sideways. The threads on the attach bolt were found damaged.
On March 21, 1995, about 1505 eastern standard time, a Christen Industries A-1, N2923B, registered to Hugh S. Brown, sustained damage when the tail landing gear collapsed during landing at Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Titusville, Florida, on March 21, 1995, about 1305. The pilot stated that while landing on runway 27 right, a tailwheel main attach bolt failed and the tail wheel collapsed. The aircraft ground looped to the left and went off the runway. Examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors indicated the nut on the tail gear assembly attach bolt was missing. The tailwheel gear assembly had collapsed sideways and contacted the steering spring. The attach bolt threads were damaged.
COLLAPSE OF THE TAILWHEEL GEAR ASSEMBLY, DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A NUT BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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