Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI00LA205

DECATUR, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N5080M

Taylorcraft BC12-D

Analysis

The airplane nosed over on landing at a private, grass airstrip. The pilot reported that just after touchdown, the airplane suddenly nosed over. He reported that after the accident, he noted a long skid mark in the grass from the left main gear that lead up to the point where the airplane nosed over. Investigation revealed the grass airstrip contained bare areas where the grass had died. The tire marks in the grass showed the airplane was sliding during the landing roll and it nosed over when it contacted one of the bare areas. The left main wheel brake was found locked up after the accident.

Factual Information

On July 17, 2000, at 2100 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N5080M, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over following a landing at a private airstrip near Decatur, Michigan. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed the private airstrip at 2000 edt, for the local flight. The pilot reported that he was returning to his private airstrip following a local flight. He reported that he flew over the field to check the winds, which were indicating calm. The pilot stated he landed to the south and after he touched down the airplane suddenly nosed over. He reported that after the accident, he noted a long skid mark in the grass from the left main gear that lead up to the point where the airplane nosed over. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Grand Rapids, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane and accident site. The inspector reported that the grass airstrip contained bare areas where the grass had died. He reported that tire marks in the grass showed the airplane was sliding during the landing roll and it nosed over when it contacted one of the bare areas. The inspector also stated that the left main wheel brake was locked up when he inspected the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

the left main landing gear brake was locked during landing. A factor associated with the accident was the uneven terrain on which the landing was made.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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