# Accident 20060505008099A: Amtr RUTANDEFIANT, Coeur D Alene, ID, May 5, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 5, 2006, 12:30 local time
- Place: Coeur D Alene, ID
- Airport: Coeur D Alene Air Term Airport
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.7742° N, 116.8197° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7742&lon=-116.8197&mi=10
- Aircraft: N726RD, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N726RD-2018-04-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rupp Roger J RUTAN DEFIANT (registry code 05690C5, https://openairdocs.org/model/rupp-roger-j-rutan-defiant) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR RUTANDEFIANT
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 6,600 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA06CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA097) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060505008099A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT FAILED TO LOWER THE NOSE GEAR PRIOR TO LANDING CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SKID ON THE LOWER NOSE FUSELAGE OVER 2,000 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY. THIS PARTICULAR AIRCRAFT'S DESIGN IS UNIQUE WHEREAS THE VERTICAL STABILIZER/RUDDER ARE LOCATED UNDER THE FUSELAGE FORWARD OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. SINCE THE NOSE GEAR WAS NOT EXTENDED PRIOR TO LANDING, AND THE MAIN GEARS ARE FIXED IN POSITION, THE WOODEN PROPELLER HIT THE RUNWAY SURFACE REPEATEDLY, SHEARING IT WITH EACH STRIKE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RUDDER/STABILIZER SKIDDED ON THE RUNWAY DESTROYING AT LEAST 8 INCHES OF THE CONTROL SURFACE. NO OTHER LANDING DAMAGE WAS DETECTED. FURTHER AIRCRAFT INSPECTION NOTED SIGNIFICANT CARBON DEPOSITS NEAR BOTH MAIN GEAR STRUTS, INDICATING A RECENT FIRE ON THE AIRCRAFT'S BRAKE SYSTEM. THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT AND LOCAL FBO FUELERS VERIFIED THE N726RD'S BRAKES HAD CAUGHT FIRE THE PREVIOUS DAY WHILE THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DA^ WAS TAXIING HIS AIRCRAFT. THEIR ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS MISSING THE AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE AND THE REGISTRATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA06CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA097), May 5, 2006: Rupp Rutan Defiant (N726RD), Coeur d'Alene, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to put the nose wheel landing gear down for landing.

## Other reports on N726RD (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19960808030559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960808030559I), Aug 8, 1996: Amtrru DEFIANT (N726RD), Santa Ana, CA, Minor damage. Narrative: Mr. David orr stated that after landing, on rollout, the nose wheel collapsed. Investigation by Mr. Orr discovered the locking tab for the down lock…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.