# NTSB BFO92LA012: John W Upton SA-300, N85JU, Leon, WV, December 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1991, 17:06 local (22:06 UTC)
- Place: Leon, WV
- Coordinates: 38.740222, -81.949264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7402&lon=-81.9493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA012

## Probable cause

THE DEFECTIVE WELDING BETWEEN THE AXLE AND THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR TO COLLAPSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fractured (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY IN HIS HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE HAD DEPARTED EARLIER TO PRACTICE SOME AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AND WAS RETURNING TO THE GRASS STRIP WHEN DURING LANDING THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE STRUT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA REVEALED THAT THE STRUT SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN WHEEL DUE TO DEFECTIVE WELDING. THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT HAD A TOTAL OF 7 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85JU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85JU-2005-03-08), registration cancelled 2005-03-08, S/N 002, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHN W UPTON SA-300
- Registry model: [Upton John M STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/upton-john-m-starduster-too) (registry code 86603CL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 002
- Airframe hours: 959
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John W. Upton
- Registered owner: John W. Upton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: WV30, Leon Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 503 total, 12 in this make and model, 459 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 28 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 19911208055009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911208055009A), Dec 8, 1991: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Leon, WV, Substantial damage. Right main gear separated from strut on landing. Found defective welding.

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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