# NTSB CEN17LA312: Ralph Marine Devil DOG, N165AB, Danville, AR, August 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 2017, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Danville, AR - Coordinates: 35.086944, -93.427497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0869&lon=-93.4275&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; LIT FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95790/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95790 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA312 ## Probable cause A separation of the left tire from its wheel because of the use of an improper substance and wheel size, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=05627E2), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05627E2), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05627E2), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05627E2), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627E2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627E2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot, who was the owner of the experimental weight shift control aircraft, stated that he was practicing a series of takeoff and landings called "crow hops" when the left main landing gear tire separated from the wheel rim. The aircraft then veered off the runway and rolled onto its side. The pilot stated that the previous airplane owner had put liquid fix-a-flat in the left tire, which is a product not to be used in aircraft tires. The pilot said that liquid fix a flat will corrode the aluminum of the landing gear wheels and allowed the tire to spin on the wheel during braking. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the presence of liquid flat repair called "slime," and that the diameter of the main landing gear wheel was relatively small compared to the tire, which likely resulted in slippage of the tire from the wheel. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2017, at 1200 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ralph Marine Devil Dog, N165AB, veered off the runway and impacted terrain during landing at Danville Municipal Airport (32A), Danville, Arkansas. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The uncertificated pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated by the pilot and registered to the previous owner under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated from and was to remain at 32A. The pilot recently purchased the airplane, which was a tricycle, weight-shift control aircraft, that had a 40 mile per hour lift-off speed. The pilot stated that he was practicing takeoffs and landings, which he called "crow hops," on the runway. The pilot intended to fly the airplane along the runway but not enter the airport traffic pattern. He performed four crow hops and during the last landing, the left main landing gear tire became flat and separated from its wheel at a speed of 30 miles per hour. The airplane veered right off the runway surface and into a grass area. The airplane rolled over onto its left side damaging the airplane mast. The pilot stated that the previous airplane owner had put liquid fix-a-flat, which was a product not to be used in aircraft tires, in the left main landing gear wheel. The pilot stated that the liquid fix-a-flat will corrode the aluminum landing gear wheels and would allow the tire to spin on the wheel during braking. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the presence of a liquid flat repair substance commonly called "slime" in the left main landing gear wheel and around the inner edges of the tire. The inspector also stated that the diameter of the main landing gear wheel was relatively small compared to the tire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N165AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N165AB-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N USMC-DD1, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RALPH MARINE DEVIL DOG - Registry model: [Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG](https://openairdocs.org/model/ralph-michael-p-marine-devil-dog) (registry code 05627E2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift, amateur-built - Serial number: USMC-DD1 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 170 - Engines: Suzuki G13B 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 2, 2017 - Departed: 32A, Dansville, AR - Destination: 32A, Dansville, AR - Airport: 32A, Danville Municipal Airport, runway 11, 5,324 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 117; injuries: none; seat: front; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: RUE, 19 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 20170803010299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170803010299A), Aug 3, 2017: Ralph Michael P MARINE DEVIL DOG, Danville, AR, Substantial damage. On August 3, 2017, at approximately 11:00 central time, an experimental weight-shift aircraft (trike), registered as N165AB landed on runway 11 at the Danville… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95790. 9.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Correspondence - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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. --- 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.