# NTSB ATL02LA164: Barker Experimental, N9097F, Panacea, FL, August 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 30, 2002, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Panacea, FL - Coordinates: 29.988889, -84.395278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9889&lon=-84.3953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Tampa FSDO - 35 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA164 ## Probable cause The builders inadequate weld on the nose gear u-shaped bracket, that resulted in the nose wheel strut failure, and subsequent nose over during an attempted landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,nose gear attach point - inadequate (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot flew a normal approach to a rough, bumpy turf runway. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear at 60 knots, and when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane bounced three to four feet into the air. The airplane touched down on the main landing again, and when the nose settled on the runway, the airplane immediately flipped inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel was separated and the vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained crush damage. The pilot stated the nose wheel was found about 60 feet from the fuselage. The pilot stated the u-shaped aluminum bracket bolted to the nose wheel strut was found broken at the weld. Further examination by two welding experts revealed that the weld was "insufficient" on the shear points of the u-shaped aluminum bracket, and the weld had not completely penetrated the metal. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2002, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a John Barker experimental airplane, N9097F, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over inverted during landing at the Wakulla County airstrip in Panacea, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. The private pilot reported no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Perry Foley Airport in Perry, Florida, about 1330. The pilot stated he flew a normal approach to runway 18 at 70 knots. He stated the airplane touched down on the main landing gear at 60 knots, and when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane bounced three to four feet into the air. He stated the airplane touched down on the main landing gear again, and when the nose settled on the runway, the airplane immediately flipped inverted. The pilot stated the turf runway has a rough, bumpy surface. Initial examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel was separated, the vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained crush damage, and the propeller was damaged. The pilot stated the nose wheel was found about 60 feet from the fuselage near visible tracks in the turf where the main landing wheels initially touched down. The pilot stated the u-shaped aluminum bracket bolted to the nose wheel strut was found broken at the weld. Further examination by two welding experts revealed that the weld was "insufficient" on the shear points of the u-shaped aluminum bracket, and the weld had not completely penetrated the metal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9097F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9097F), registered now, S/N 01, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Barker Experimental - Registry model: [Barker John HOME BUILT](https://openairdocs.org/model/barker-john-home-built) (registry code 05610TT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Perry Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 40J, Perry, FL - Destination: 2J0, Panacea, FL - Airport: 2J0, Wakulla County, runway 18, 2,785 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 43 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: TLH, 25 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020830024009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020830024009A), Aug 30, 2002: Amtr EXPERIMENTAL, Panacea, FL, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 30, 2002, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a john barker Experimental airplane, N9097F, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over… 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. --- 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.