# NTSB CEN13LA534: Barrow Rose Parrakeet, N1732, Castroville, TX, September 7, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 2013, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Castroville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.338333, -98.850555
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3383&lon=-98.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA534
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88000/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88000
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA534

## Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear wheel on landing due to overstress, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to install wheels with insufficient loading capacity for the airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: landing gear/wheel fairing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023201): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023201/cases.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023201/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05631M3), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel fractured. The experimental-homebuilt airplane subsequently veered off the runway and flipped over. Postaccident examination of the fractured left main wheel revealed that the wheel failed due to overstress of the cast aluminum alloy; no evidence of preexisting cracks was observed. According to the pilot, the wheel had accrued only 11.4 hours since he had installed it, and it had about 15 cycles (landings) at the time of the accident. The wheels installed on the airplane were designed for ultralight aircraft that have an empty weight of less than 254 pounds. The accident airplane weighed about 954 pounds and would have required wheels with a higher loading capability.

## Factual narrative

On September 7, 2013, at 0900 central daylight time, N1732, an experimental-homebuilt Barrow Rose Parrakeet A-4C airplane, sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear wheel fractured during landing rollout at Castroville Municipal Airport (CVB), Castroville, Texas. The airplane transport pilot/owner/builder was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he he made a normal, 3-point landing on runway 15. During landing rollout, the airplane began to vibrate and the left wing fell down toward the asphalt runway. The airplane then veered sharply to the right and departed the runway onto level grass and flipped over. In addition to the fractured left main landing gear wheel, the pilot reported that the rudder and the upper right wing spars were substantially damaged. The left main landing gear and propeller were also damaged. According to the pilot, the Azusa 8-inch wheel had accrued only 11.4 hours since it was installed, and had approximately 15 cycles (landings) at the time of the accident. At the request of the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-Charge (NTSB IIC), the pilot sent the fractured wheel to the NTSB's Materials Laboratory for examination. Examination of the fractured sections of the wheel revealed they were matte gray and rough consistent with overstress fracture of cast aluminum alloy. No evidence of preexisting cracks was observed. According to the Azusa Engineering website, they manufacture wheels for small recreational and industrial vehicles including go-karts, mini-bikes, and ultra-light aircraft (aircraft with an empty weight of less than 254 pounds per Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103). N1732 weighed about 954 pounds at the time of the accident and would have required wheels with a higher loading capability than an ultra light aircraft. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "I should have used a different wheel manufacturer!"

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1732](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1732), registered now, S/N SBB032, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARROW ROSE PARRAKEET (A4C)
- Registry model: [Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C](https://openairdocs.org/model/timothy-mathew-barrow-rose-parrakeet-a4c) (registry code 05631M3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotec R2800](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotec-r2800) (registry code 55600, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SBB032
- Airframe hours: 11.4
- Engines: Rotec R2800 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy Barrow
- Registered owner: Timothy Barrow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 11, 2013
- Departed: CVB, Castroville, TX
- Destination: CVB, Castroville, TX
- Airport: CVB, Castroville Municipal, runway 15, 4,600 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 13,500 total, 11 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 20130907016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130907016699A), Sep 7, 2013: Timothy Mathew Barrow ROSE PARRAKEET A4C, Castroville, TX, Substantial damage. During landing rollout the left main wheel broke. The axle then dug into the ground and the airplane flipped over causing substantial damage to right upper…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88000. 658 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Materials Laboratory Factual Report 15-041 (item 2, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2015-041-Master.PDF

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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