# NTSB GAA18CA203: Carr B L RV 4, N66PB, Caldwell, ID, April 6, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2018, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, ID
- Coordinates: 43.641944, -116.635833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6419&lon=-116.6358&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97000/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97000
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA203

## Probable cause

The failure of the weld on the airplane’s left main landing gear axle support strut during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## 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: [Carr B L RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=05606Y8), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Carr B L RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05606Y8), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Carr B L RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05606Y8), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Carr B L RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05606Y8), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Carr B L RV-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05606Y8), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, during landing, the airplane bounced, and the pilot added power. The airplane landed on the runway, but the left side of the airplane "dropped" to the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector that examined the airplane reported that the weld on the left main landing gear axle support strut had failed with some signs of overload.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-built airplane, during landing the airplane bounced and the pilot added power. The airplane landed on the runway, but the left side of the airplane "dropped" to the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane reported that the weld on the left main landing gear axle support strut had failed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66PB-2019-06-18), registration cancelled 2019-06-18, S/N 2953, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CARR B L RV 4 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Carr B L RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/carr-b-l-rv-4) (registry code 05606Y8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2953
- Year built: 1995
- Airframe hours: 666.9
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2018
- Departed: ID40, Melba, ID
- Destination: EUL, Caldwell, ID
- Airport: EUL, Caldwell Industrial, runway 12, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 17, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 868 total, 340 in this make and model, 687 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KEUL

## 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 20180406003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180406003359A), Apr 6, 2018: Carr B L RV-4, Caldwell, ID, Substantial damage. Hard landing initial touchdown broke off the left main landing gear wheel at the axle support fork. Upon secondary touchdown, the wheel-less left gear leg…

## Other investigations on N66PB (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 WPR10LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA171), Mar 18, 2010: Carr RV-4 (N66PB), Arlington, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of both main landing gear's drag link bolts in overstress and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear during landing rollout.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97000. 4.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 297 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.

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