# NTSB MIA95LA092: Christen Industries A-1, N2923B, Opa Locka, FL, March 21, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1995, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Opa Locka, FL - Coordinates: 25.909822, -80.270797 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9098&lon=-80.2708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37743 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37743/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA092 ## Probable cause COLLAPSE OF THE TAILWHEEL GEAR ASSEMBLY, DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A NUT BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Tail gear collapsed, landing - roll - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - not secured (cause) - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - collapsed (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled ## Analysis The tailwheel gear assembly collapsed on landing, then the aircraft swerved to the left and went off the runway. During the swerve, the right wing contacted the ground and the aircraft was substantially damaged. An exam revealed that a nut was missing from the tailwheel assembly attach bolt, which allowed the tailwheel gear assembly to collapse sideways. The threads on the attach bolt were found damaged. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1995, about 1505 eastern standard time, a Christen Industries A-1, N2923B, registered to Hugh S. Brown, sustained damage when the tail landing gear collapsed during landing at Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Titusville, Florida, on March 21, 1995, about 1305. The pilot stated that while landing on runway 27 right, a tailwheel main attach bolt failed and the tail wheel collapsed. The aircraft ground looped to the left and went off the runway. Examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors indicated the nut on the tail gear assembly attach bolt was missing. The tailwheel gear assembly had collapsed sideways and contacted the steering spring. The attach bolt threads were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2923B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2923B-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 1033, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1033 - Airframe hours: 366 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harrold, Burton B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 1994, 24 hours before - Departed: X21, TITUSVILLE, FL - Airport: OPF, Opa Locka, runway 27R, 10,502 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,100 total, 3 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OPF, 1 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 19950321013769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950321013769A), Mar 21, 1995: Chris A1, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Tail gear assembly failed landing. Swerved. Wing damaged. Nut missing from tailwheel attach bolt. Assembly twisted. ## Other investigations on N2923B (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 MIA96LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA081), Feb 18, 1996: Christen Industries A-1 (N2923B), Miami, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment during a go-around, resulting in a collision with trees beside the runway. The crosswind was a related factor. 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.