# NTSB ERA13CA149: Bucker Jungmann Casa 1.31, N558J, Rupert, GA, February 24, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 24, 2013, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Rupert, GA - Coordinates: 32.447223, -84.259162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4472&lon=-84.2592&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86314 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86314/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86314 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA149 ## Probable cause The fracture of the left main landing gear axle, which resulted in a loss of control during landing. ## 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 · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=1590114), [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: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1590114), [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: [Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1590114), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1590114), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing roll on a turf runway, the airplane's left main landing gear axle fractured, and the left landing gear wheel assembly departed the airframe. The airplane veered to the left, and the remaining portion of the left landing gear collapsed. The propeller and the lower left and right wings contacted the runway and were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a crack had propagated through a manufacturer-welded area near the wheel assembly. The airplane was manufactured in 1961. It had been operated for about 760 total hours since new and 7 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 11 months before the accident. A search of the Federal Aviation Administration service difficulty report database for the accident airplane make and model did not reveal any previous similar landing gear failures. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the certificated experimental exhibition category bi-plane was landing on a private turf runway. During the landing rollout, the airplane's left main landing gear axle fractured and the left landing gear wheel assembly departed the airframe. The airplane veered to the left and the remaining portion of the left landing gear collapsed. The propeller, and the lower left and right wings contacted the runway, and were substantially damaged. Postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed a crack that had propagated through a manufacturer welded area near the wheel assembly. The airplane was manufactured in 1961. It had been operated for about 760 total hours since new, and 7 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 11 months prior. A search of the Federal Aviation Administration service difficult reports database for the accident airplane make and model did not reveal any previous similar landing gear failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N558J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N558J-2014-09-09), registration cancelled 2014-09-09, S/N E3B-558, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKER JUNGMANN CASA 1.31 - Registry model: [Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131](https://openairdocs.org/model/bucker-jungmann-c-a-s-a-1-131) (registry code 1590114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E3B-558 - Airframe hours: 762 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas Muller, Jr. - Registered owner: Red Baron Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 11, 2012, 7 hours before - Departed: NONE, Rupert, GA - Destination: NONE, Rupert, GA - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 10, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 520 total, 305 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 154 °F, dew point 86 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 40 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 20130224002679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130224002679A), Feb 24, 2013: Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131, Rupert, GA, Substantial damage. On February 27, 2013 at 1245 local, inspectors from this office arrived at 257 carpenter road in Rupert, GA to investigate the report of an accident that… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86314. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Postaccident Manufacturer/Defect Report (item 3, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Postaccident%20Manufacturer%2FDefect%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 – Left side of airplane after recovery (item 4, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20side%20of%20airplane%20after%20recovery-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – Damage to lower right wing (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20lower%20right%20wing-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.