# NTSB ATL04IA067: Sabreliner NA-265-60, N124DC, Birminghham, AL, December 26, 2003

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 2003, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Birminghham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.557777, -86.751945
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5578&lon=-86.7519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Birmingham FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04IA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04IA067

## Probable cause

The lack of lubrication of the right main wheel bearing which resulted in the overheating.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - landing gear,wheel (cause)
  - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - overtemperature (cause)
  - lubricant,grease - lack of (cause)

## Analysis

After landing at the Birmingham International Airport, Alabama it was discovered that the right main wheel was missing off of the landing gear assembly. Further examination of the right main wheel revealed that the bearings had failed and the wheel passed over the axle assembly. The Birmingham Flight Standards District Office of the Federal Aviation Administration requested assistance with the metallurgical examination of the right main landing gear bearing assembly. Examination of the outer bearing revealed temperature exposure and severe rubbing. The examination of the bearing assembly also revealed that no grease or lubricant was present on the fragmented pieces of the bearing.

## Factual narrative

On December 26, 2003, at 1115 central standard time, a Saberliner, N124DC, registered to and operated by Drummond Company Inc., loss the right main wheel during landing on runway 27 at Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham, Alabama. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. The airline transport pilot and co-pilot were not injured. The airplane sustained minor damage. The flight departed Savannah International Airport, Georgia, on December 26, 2003, at 1030.

After landing at the Birmingham International Airport, Alabama it was discovered that the right main wheel was missing off of the landing gear assembly. Further examination of the right main wheel revealed that the bearings had failed and the wheel passed over the axle assembly. The Birmingham Flight Standards District Office of the Federal Aviation Administration requested assistance with the metallurgical examination of the right main landing gear bearing assembly. Examination of the outer bearing revealed temperature exposure and severe rubbing. The examination of the bearing assembly also revealed that no grease or lubricant was present on the fragmented pieces of the bearing.

Review of maintenance records showed the last inspection on the right main landing gear wheel assembly was conducted on August 8, 2003. The inboard cup was replaced on August 13, 2003.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N124DC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Sabreliner Corp. NA-265-60
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 560-5132
- Airframe hours: 6708
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney JT-128N 3300 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Drummond Company Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 30, 2003, 6,708 hours before
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BHM, Birmingham, runway 27, 9,351 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,500 total
- Co-pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 18,450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observed at: BHM

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20031226036479I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031226036479I), Dec 26, 2003: Rkwell NA26560, Birmingham, AL, Minor damage. (-23) Aircraft lost the right main wheel during departure from savanna ga. And landed safely in Birmingham, AL. With minor damage. Further investigation…

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.

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