COVINGTON, IN, USA
N5023D
PICKEL SMITH MINIPLANE
THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT SLID APRX 40 FEET AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD REMOVED THE MAIN LANDING GEAR APRX 10 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT TO REPACK THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE STATED THAT HE HAD TROUBLE REINSTALLING THE AXLE RETAINING NUT SO THAT THE COTTER KEY HOLE IN THE NUT MATCHED THE ONE IN THE AXLE. HE REDRILLED AND ENLARGED THE HOLE IN THE RETAINING NUT. THIS ALLOWED THE COTTER KEY TO FIT THROUGH THE RETAINING NUT BUT WITH THE NUT SET AT ITS PROPER TORQUE, IT DID NOT GO THROUGH THE HOLE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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