# NTSB ERA16LA255: Fleet Fleet 16B, N666J, Rhinebeck, NY, July 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2016, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Rhinebeck, NY - Coordinates: 41.969722, -73.86444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9697&lon=-73.8644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93596 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93596/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93596 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA255 ## Probable cause Failure of the gear strut mount nut due to wear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Fleet FLEET 16B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=3480502), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Fleet FLEET 16B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=3480502), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Fleet FLEET 16B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=3480502), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot stated that, during takeoff from a turf runway, the left main landing gear collapsed but did not separate from the airplane; the pilot continued the takeoff. During the subsequent landing, the airplane touched down, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear strut mount nut was stripped, consistent with wear, and the bolt was missing. The airplane was manufactured in 1942, and there was no required inspection for the gear strut mount. The most recent inspection was completed about 38 flight hours before the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2016, about 1220 eastern daylight time, a Fleet 16B biplane, N666J, owned and operated by Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum, was substantially damaged during landing at Old Rhinebeck Airport (NY94), Rhinebeck, New York. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that during takeoff from a turf runway, the left main landing gear collapsed but did not separate from the airplane. The pilot was aware of the damaged landing gear, and circled the airport. During the subsequent landing on the departure runway, the airplane touched down, flipped over, and came to rest to rest inverted, which damaged the right upper wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land, multi engine land, and a flight instructor certificate. The pilot held a first class medical certificate and reported 643 total hours of flying experience. He reported 25 hours of flying time in the accident airplane make and model. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left main landing gear strut mount nut that secured the landing gear strut was stripped, and the bolt was missing. Damage consistent with wear was observed on the strut base and the housing. There was no inspection required for the gear strut mount for the Fleet 16B, which was manufactured in 1942. The most recent annual was completed about 38 hours before the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N666J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N666J), registered now, S/N 350, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLEET FLEET 16B (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Fleet FLEET 16B](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleet-fleet-16b) (registry code 3480502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner B5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-b5-series) (registry code 37501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 350 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 43.83 - Engines: Kinner B5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum - Registered owner: Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2015 - Departed: NY94, Rhinebeck, NY - Destination: NY94, Rhinebeck, NY - Airport: NY94, Old Rhinebeck, runway N, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 643 total, 25 in this make and model, 507 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPOU, 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 20160702010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160702010309A), Jul 2, 2016: Fleet FLEET 16B, Rhinebeck, NY, Substantial damage. On the take-off roll, the left main landing gear retaining bolt threads failed and allowed the wheel assembly to become detached from the main strut. The wheel… ## Other investigations on N666J (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC72FHM13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FHM13), Oct 3, 1971: Fleet 16B (N666J), Rhinebeck, NY, no damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93596. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.