# NTSB GAA18CA180: Anderson Darrell L Starduster TOO, N5606T, Tucson, AZ, March 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2018, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.142223, -111.174446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1422&lon=-111.1744&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96937 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96937/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96937 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA180 ## Probable cause The failure of the left main landing gear axle weld during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Anderson Darrell L STARDUSTER TOO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=056352A), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Anderson Darrell L STARDUSTER TOO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056352A), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Anderson Darrell L STARDUSTER TOO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056352A), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Anderson Darrell L STARDUSTER TOO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056352A), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that this was his third test flight. During the landing roll, he heard a loud noise, and the left side of the airplane dropped. The airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The left side of the airplane dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over. The FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane reported that the left main landing gear axle weld had failed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the right upper wing spar. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that this was his third test flight. During the landing roll, he heard a loud noise, and the left side of the airplane dropped. The airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The left side of the airplane dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over. The FAA Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane reported that the left main landing gear axle weld had failed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder and right upper wing spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5606T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5606T-2020-03-19), registration cancelled 2020-03-19, S/N 001, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ANDERSON DARRELL L STARDUSTER TOO (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Anderson Darrell L STARDUSTER TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-darrell-l-starduster-too) (registry code 056352A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a2d) (registry code 42262, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AED 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 23, 2018 - Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Destination: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 06L, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 19, 2017; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,166 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KRYN, 1 nm away ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96937. 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=40465163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Examination (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Examination-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.