# NTSB CHI94LA003: Welch OW8M, N17117, Greenfield, IN, October 3, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 3, 1993, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, IN - Coordinates: 39.50917, -86.159141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5092&lon=-86.1591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9403/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA003 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,axle - separation - Roll over, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis THE LANDING WAS MADE ON RUNWAY 18 WITH LOCAL WINDS REPORTED AS 235 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN DUE TO A LINE OF TREES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. HE STATED THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FAILED AT THE AXLE WELD. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET AT WHICH TIME THE STRUT DUG INTO THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OVER. THE LANDING GEAR STRUT HAD NO SHOCK ABSORPTION ABILITY. ## Factual narrative On October 3, 1993, at 1500 eastern standard time, a Welch OW8M, NC17117, registered to the Air Power Museum, Inc., experienced a gear collapse and rollover on landing at Pope Field, Greenfield, Indiana, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Pope Field at approximately 1445 est. The pilot stated that local winds were from approximately 235 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots and he was landing on runway 18. He stated that due to trees along the right side of the runway, low level turbulence was experienced just prior to touchdown as he descended below tree level. The airplane touched down hard and the left main gear separated at the axle weld. The airplane continued to travel for approximately 30 feet when the gear strut dug into the terrain and the airplane rolled over. The pilot stated the landing was hard but not in excess of other landings he has made. He stated the landing gear strut has no provisions for shock absorption. The pilot stated he has 500 to 600 hour of experience in tailwheel airplanes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17117](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17117-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 49, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WELCH OW8M - Registry model: [Welch OW8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/welch-ow8m) (registry code 0764606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC150-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac150-a) (registry code 27004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 49 - Airframe hours: 335 - Engines: FRANKLIN 4-AC-150 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Power Museum, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1993, 332 hours before - Departed: GFD - Destination: GFD - Airport: GFD, Pope Field, runway 18, 2,000 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 673 total, 2 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 14 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 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 19931003037509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931003037509A), Oct 3, 1993: Hartmn OW5M, Greenfield, IN, Substantial damage. Landed hard due crosswind turbulence. Left main gear failed at axle weld. Strut dug in. Nosed over. Side loading. 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.