ERA15LA051

The private pilot initially reported that, while landing his tailwheel-equipped, experimental, amateur-built airplane on the private 1,500-ft-long turf runway, he experienced a loss of directional control without any mechanical malfunctions. The airplane ground looped and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot later stated that the left main wheel axle had separated from the landing gear leg, which precipitated the loss of control. The airplane was not examined after the accident, and review of maintenance logbooks did not reveal any entries pertaining to work performed on the landing gear in the previous year. Because no further examination of the airplane was performed, the reason for the loss of directional control during landing could not be determined based on the available information.

On November 13, 2014, about 1030 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Kitfox 6, N524MB, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at Wheat Field Airport (56NC), Columbus, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned by the pilot and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Rutherford County Airport Marchman Field (FQD), Rutherfordton, North Carolina, about 1015.The pilot stated that he departed 56NC for a pleasure flight and stopped at FQD for fuel before returning to 56NC. He initially reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that, while landing on the private, 1,500-foot long turf runway, he experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane ground looped and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane; however, he later reported that the loss of control was due to the left main landing gear axle separating from the gear leg during landing. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued in August 2013. He reported 254 total hours of flight experience, of which 39 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane was manufactured in May 2006, and was powered by a Continental IO-240, 125 horsepower reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed September 19, 2014, at a total time of 224.9 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated about 235 total hours in service. Review of maintenance logbooks did not reveal any entries pertaining to work performed on the landing gear in the previous year. No postaccident examination of the airplane and left main landing gear was performed.