# NTSB DFW08CA172: Taylorcraft DCO-65, N87787, Somerset, TX, June 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2008, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Somerset, TX - Coordinates: 29.360277, -98.915832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3603&lon=-98.9158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68345/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA172 ## Probable cause The right main landing gear strut failure due to metal fatigue. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft DCO-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8850408), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport rated pilot made a successful landing to runway 13 on a turf airstrip. During the landing roll, at about 30 miles per hour, the passenger stated that he heard a "loud pop" and the aircraft came to a complete stop. A Federal Aviation Inspector on scene noted the right main landing gear strut had failed. The failure was consistent with corrosion and subsequent metal fatigue. Substantial damage was determined to the right wing strut, rudder, tail wheel assembly, right main landing gear and the propeller. Both the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted and uninjured. Winds were reported at the time of the accident to be from 140 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative The airline transport rated pilot made a successful landing to runway 13 on a turf airstrip. During the landing roll, at about 30 miles per hour, the passenger stated that he heard a "loud pop" and the aircraft came to a complete stop. A Federal Aviation Inspector on scene noted the right main landing gear strut had failed. The failure was consistent with corrosion and subsequent metal fatigue. Substantial damage was determined to the right wing strut, rudder, tail wheel assembly, right main landing gear and the propeller. Both the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted and uninjured. Winds were reported at the time of the accident to be from 140 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87787](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87787), registered now, S/N L5485, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft DCO-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft DCO-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dco-65) (registry code 8850408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: L5485 - Airframe hours: 2132 - Engines: Continental AC-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Davies - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 53TX, Somerset, TX - Destination: 53TX, Somerset, TX - Airport: 53TX, Cannon Filed, runway 13, 2,880 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 15,900 total, 52 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KSSF, 8 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 20080628839479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080628839479A), Jun 28, 2008: Tcrafk DCO65TCRAFT, Somerset, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 28, 2008 a Taylorcraft DCO-06, N87787, landed at Cannon Field (53TX), runway 15. Upon landing, right main gear strut collapsed/sheared on… 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.