# NTSB ERA21LA367: Collins Robert S Just Acft Highlander, N409JD, Brasstown, NC, August 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 12, 2021, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Brasstown, NC - Coordinates: 35.0502, -83.9479 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0502&lon=-83.9479&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103894/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103894 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA367 ## Probable cause Failure of the left main landing gear wheel lock nuts, which resulted in a wheel separation and nose over during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Collins Robert S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=056247N), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/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: [Collins Robert S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=056247N), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Collins Robert S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056247N), [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: [Collins Robert S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056247N), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel, experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he had completed 11 takeoffs and landings to a full stop. During a subsequent takeoff, he saw that the left main landing gear wheel was wobbling. He returned to the turf airstrip and landed at the slowest possible speed; however, the left main landing gear wheel separated, and the airplane came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. Three lock nuts that secured the wheel were missing and not recovered. Additionally, there was no damage or stripping on the threads of the respective studs. The pilot could not see the three nuts during preflight inspection as they were concealed by a hubcap. The mechanic that completed a condition inspection about 2 months prior to the accident, stated that the three missing nuts were light locknuts, made of an alloy. The mechanic removed the hubcap during the inspection as he had to lubricate the wheel bearing. At that time, he could see that the three nuts were secure; however, since they were already set to a torque, he did not attempt to tighten them. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N409JD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N409JD), registered now, S/N JAESC0142 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COLLINS ROBERT S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER - Registry model: [Collins Robert S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/collins-robert-s-just-acft-highlander) (registry code 056247N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JAESC0142 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 1025 - Engines: Rotax 914ULS 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2021, 5 hours before - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 18, 2,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 10, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 449 total, 145 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: RHP, 10 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 20210812014259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210812014259A), Aug 12, 2021: Collins Robert S JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, Brasstown, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing multiple takeoff and landings to full stop on the grass strip at the Brasstown Air Field (location: 35.0502° n, 83.9479° w). During 12th… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103894. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12778469&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12777560&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12778335&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.