# NTSB CHI84LA393: Pickel Smith Miniplane, N5023D, Covington, IN, September 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1984, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Covington, IN
- Coordinates: 40.1296, -87.390396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1296&lon=-87.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA393
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA393

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT SLID APRX 40 FEET AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD REMOVED THE MAIN LANDING GEAR APRX 10 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT TO REPACK THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE STATED THAT HE HAD TROUBLE REINSTALLING THE AXLE RETAINING NUT SO THAT THE COTTER KEY HOLE IN THE NUT MATCHED THE ONE IN THE AXLE. HE REDRILLED AND ENLARGED THE HOLE IN THE RETAINING NUT. THIS ALLOWED THE COTTER KEY TO FIT THROUGH THE RETAINING NUT BUT WITH THE NUT SET AT ITS PROPER TORQUE, IT DID NOT GO THROUGH THE HOLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5023D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5023D-1992-06-02), registration cancelled 1992-06-02, S/N 7337 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PICKEL SMITH MINIPLANE (SMITH MINI)
- Registry model: [Pickel Arnold F SMITH DSA1 MINIPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/pickel-arnold-f-smith-dsa1-miniplane) (registry code 8350236) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7337
- Airframe hours: 171
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arnold F. Pickel
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1984
- Airport: 4I5, Fulton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 528 total, 173 in this make and model, 404 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840918049529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840918049529A), Sep 18, 1984: Amtrsm DSA1, Covington, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot enlarged landing gear wheel retaining nut hole to fit cotter key. Key did not go through axle. Wheel came off

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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