MIA94LA149

As the pilot was making a left turn after starting to taxi, the aircraft's nosewheel assembly came apart (exploded) and one split rim struck a ground observer, severing his leg. Examination revealed that the nuts on the through-bolts for the split rim were improper and that the tires may have been over-inflated. The airplane records were not complete. The investigation did not ascertain who had installed the wrong nuts or when the installion had been performed.

On May 24, 1994, about 1644 central daylight time, N6166Y a Beech BE-65 was involved in a taxi accident at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. The airplane was registered to Smith/Perkins Inc. and was operating as a 14 CFR 91 ferry flight. The airplane received minor damage and one person on the ground received serious injuries. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a military VFR flight plan was filed along with a weather briefing obtained from a Navy meteorologist. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The airplane started its taxi from the ramp when the nose wheel split rim exploded. A piece of the tire rim severed a ground observer's leg. Investigation revealed that the nuts on the through bolts for the split rims were improper, and the tires may have been over inflated with bottled dry nitrogen.

The pilot-in-command had also acquired a ferry permit that specifically stated it would be conducted with certain limitations, including, carriage of cargo or persons other than crew for the purpose of the flight would be prohibited.