# NTSB GAA17CA554: Thomas J Murray Kitfox Super Sport, N233TD, Old Forge, NY, September 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2017, 15:45 UTC - Place: Old Forge, NY - Coordinates: 43.725276, -74.976112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7253&lon=-74.9761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA554 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96091/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96091 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA554 ## Probable cause The separation of the wheel assembly during landing due to the pilot’s use of improper retaining nuts when he installed the tundra tires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=05633CU), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05633CU), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05633CU), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05633CU), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05633CU), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, he touched down on a turf surface runway, and the airplane bounced. When the airplane descended to the surface, the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly separated from the landing gear leg. The pilot reported that the airplane "skidded down" the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that he had recently installed tundra tires on the airplane and that the four bolts that came with the tundra tire kit were not long enough to properly secure the wheel and brake assembly to the landing gear leg. He recalled that he used four bolts that were longer; however, they were not provided by the manufacturer. He asserted that the nuts he used to retain the bolts were provided in the wheel assembly kit. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the left-wing spar. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the experimental amateur built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, he touched down on a turf surface runway and the airplane bounced. When the airplane descended to the surface, the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly separated from the landing gear leg. The pilot reported that the airplane "skidded down" the runway and nosed over. He reported that he had recently installed tundra tires on the airplane, and that the four bolts that came with the tundra tire kit, were not long enough to properly secure the wheel and brake assembly to the landing gear leg. He recalled that he used four bolts that were longer, however, they were not provided by the manufacturer. He asserted that the nuts that were used to retain the bolts were provided in the wheel assembly kit. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the left-wing spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N233TD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233TD-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N KA12155233, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS J MURRAY KITFOX SUPER SPORT (SUPER SPOR) - Registry model: [Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-j-murray-kitfox-super-sport) (registry code 05633CU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-233 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-233-series) (registry code 42405, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: KA12155233 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 113 - Engines: Lycoming 233 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2017 - Departed: FZY, Fulton, NY - Destination: NK26, Old Forge, NY - Airport: NK26, Old Forge, runway 09, 3,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Heads up display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 5, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 180 total, 113 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGTB, 38 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 20170921016709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170921016709A), Sep 21, 2017: Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT, Old Forge, NY, Substantial damage. On September 21, 2017 at approximately 1145 local time, the pilot flying N233TD a Kitfox landed on a grass strip runway number 9 at Old Forge privately owned… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96091. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.