# NTSB LAX94LA227: Perth Amboy Bird BK, N847W, San Jose, CA, May 30, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1994, 15:13 local (22:13 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.329139, -121.829597 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3291&lon=-121.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA227

## Probable cause

the separation of the right main landing gear axle from the gear strut for undetermined reasons related to component age.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,axle - separation (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the touchdown on runway 31 right was normal.  After a short ground roll, the right main wheel and axle separated from the landing gear strut and the airplane subsequently nosed over.  The pilot said that to the best of her knowledge the gear struts and axles are original equipment items on the 1929 year model biplane.  The mode of axle failure was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On May 30, 1994, at 1513 Pacific daylight time, an antique Perth Amboy Bird BK airplane, N847W, nosed over following the failure of the right main landing gear during landing at the Reid Hillview airport, San Jose, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The certificate airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, incurred minor injuries.  The flight originated at the Watsonville, California, airport on the day of the mishap at 1440 hours as a cross-country flight to San Jose.

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that the touchdown on runway 31 right was normal.  After a short ground roll, the right main wheel and axle separated from the landing gear strut and the airplane subsequently nosed over.  The pilot said that to the best of her knowledge the gear struts and axles are original equipment items on the 1929 year model biplane.

The separated axle component was not supplied to the Safety Board for examination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N847W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N847W), registered now, S/N 2049-29, built 1930 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PERTH AMBOY BIRD BK
- Registry model: [Perth Amboy BIRD BK](https://openairdocs.org/model/perth-amboy-bird-bk) (registry code 6840126) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner K5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-k5-series) (registry code 37503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2049-29
- Airframe hours: 1532
- Engines: KINNER K5 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amelia C. Reid
- Registered owner: Robert & Amelia Reid
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1993, 25 hours before
- Departed: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA
- Destination: RHV
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31R, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 42,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 41,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19940530012949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940530012949A), May 30, 1994: Perth BIRDBK, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Right wheel and axle separated on landing roll. Original parts on 1929 aircraft. Mode of axle failure undetermined.

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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