# NTSB ERA13LA365: Fetterman Lanny R Firestar II, N598LF, Numidia, PA, August 16, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2013, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Numidia, PA - Coordinates: 40.866111, -76.397224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8661&lon=-76.3972&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA365 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87804/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87804 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA365 ## Probable cause A fatigue failure of the right main landing gear wheel axle attachment bracket, which resulted in a nose-over during a precautionary landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=059008U), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, just after takeoff in his experimental light-sport airplane, the engine began to "surge," so he chose to return to the airport to perform a precautionary landing. On final approach to the turf runway, the pilot reduced the engine power to idle, and the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear (MLG) wheel separated from the gear leg, the gear leg dug into the turf, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and left wing. Examination of the right MLG and wheel axle revealed that the wheel had separated from the gear leg due to the fatigue failure of the axle attachment bracket. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2013, approximately 1815 eastern daylight time, an experimental light sport Fetterman Firestar II, N598LF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Numidia Airport (8PA0), Numidia, Pennsylvania. The certificated sport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that prior to departing on the accident flight, he drained the airplane's fuel tank and added 8 gallons of 92-octane automotive fuel, premixed with oil to manufacturer's specifications. He subsequently drained fuel from the gascolator to check for the presence of water, and stated that the sample contained none. The pilot performed a run-up check of the engine by increasing power to 4,000 rpm for about four minutes. During this time, he stated that the engine sounded "terrific," and that a magneto check revealed no anomalies. He then taxied the airplane to the end of the turf runway, performed a second run-up, and stated that all engine indications were within parameters. The pilot applied engine power to initiate the takeoff, and the airplane lifted off the runway and climbed to about 300 feet above ground level. The engine subsequently began to "surge," fluctuating between 6,200 rpm and about 4,500 rpm, and the pilot elected to return to the airport. On final approach, the pilot reduced engine power to idle and the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. Upon touchdown on the runway, the right main landing gear wheel departed from the gear leg, the gear leg dug into the turf, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot held a sport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported 238 total hours of flight time, of which 72 hours were in the accident airplane make and model, and reported that he had flown the accident airplane 3 hours in the year previous to the accident. The airplane was manufactured in 1997, and was issued a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness certificate in 2006. It was equipped with a Rotax 503 DIDC, 52 hp reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on May 3, 2013. At the time of the accident, the airplane and engine had accrued 72 total hours of flight time. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the airframe's tubular structure, as well as the tail boom and left wing. Examination of the right main landing gear wheel revealed a fracture of the bracket that connected the wheel axle to the landing gear leg. Continuity was confirmed from the cockpit area to the flight control surfaces. No examination of the engine was performed. The pilot reported that he believed the engine surging was the result of a fuel flow issue. He stated that severalweeks after the accident, he examined the engine's carburetor bowls, and found that neither contained any fuel. The fractured wheel axle bracket was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for analysis. Examination indicated that the bracket fractured near a weld. The fracture surface displayed a flat, thumbnail-shaped region near one of the toes of the weld; a signature consistent with a fatigue crack. The fatigue crack was approximately 0.2 inches in the circumferential direction and extended through approximately 70 percent of the wall thickness at the joint. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N598LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N598LF-2016-03-14), registration cancelled 2016-03-14, S/N 598, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FETTERMAN LANNY R FIRESTAR II - Registry model: [Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/fetterman-lanny-r-firestar-ii) (registry code 059008U) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 598 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 72 - Engines: Rotax 503 DIDC 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fetterman Lanny R - Registered owner: Fetterman Lanny R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 2013 - Departed: 8PA0, Numidia, PA - Destination: 8PA0, Numidia, PA - Airport: 8PA0, Numidia Airport, runway 08L, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 8, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 238 total, 72 in this make and model, 238 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: SEG, 21 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 20130816016489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130816016489A), Aug 16, 2013: Fetterman Lanny R FIRESTAR II, Numidia, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot in command contacted NTSB and FSDO directly to report event. After normal takeoff from 8PA0, at approximately 300 ft. AGL, pilot experienced engine RPM… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87804. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photos-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – FAA Interview (item 3, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20FAA%20Interview-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Pilot Interview (item 4, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426806&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Bracket Fracture Surface (item 5, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Bracket%20Fracture%20Surface-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Close up view of fracture (item 6, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20fracture-Master.PDF - NTSB Materials Lab Email (item 7, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Materials%20Lab%20Email%20-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.