# NTSB NYC02LA093: D'Apuzzo D-260, N112JF, Andover, NJ, May 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 2002, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Andover, NJ - Coordinates: 41.008609, -74.738052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0086&lon=-74.7381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 54640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54640/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54640 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain proper runway alignment while landing, which resulted in a gear collapse. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the runway, he heard a "pop," and the left main gear collapsed. Two witnesses reported that the airplane touched down hard, and with a side load on the landing gear. Examination of the left main landing gear revealed that two 5/16-inch bolts secured the spring gear to the airframe. One of the two bolts had sheared, and the other was bent. According to a Safety Board Metallurgist, the bolt failure was consistent with a direct shear ductile overstress separation. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2002, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a D'Apuzzo D-260 homebuilt airplane, N112JF, was substantially damaged while landing at Aeroflex-Andover Airport (12N), Andover, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that about 0930, he departed a private airstrip in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and flew to 12N. As the airplane touched down on runway 21, the pilot heard a "pop". The left main gear collapsed, and the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway. It came to rest in the grass, and the lower left wing spar sustained damage. The pilot added that he did not land hard. A witness stated that the airplane touched down hard and the landing gear sustained a side load. The witness then heard a "pop," and the airplane veered left. Another witness reported: "...the plane approach at a severe sideway angle. The plane attempted to straighten out but was unable to do so. As the plane touched down it bounced hard." Examination of the left main landing gear by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that two 5/16-inch bolts secured the spring gear to the airframe. One of the two bolts had sheared, and the other was bent. The sheared bolt was forwarded to the Safety Board's Material Laboratory for further examination. According to a Safety Board Metallurgist, the failure was consistent with a direct shear ductile overstress separation. The reported wind at an airport approximately 10 miles northeast of the accident site, at 0953, was variable at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N112JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112JF-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 10913A, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: D'Apuzzo D-260 - Registry model: [D-Apuzzo D-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/d-apuzzo-d-260) (registry code 0560186) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 10913A - Airframe hours: 987 - Engines: Continental E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles D Popinko - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 2001, 10 hours before - Departed: NONE, Nazareth, PA - Destination: 12N, Andover, NJ - Airport: 12N, Aeroflex-Andover Airport, runway 21, 1,981 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 28, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 500 total, 207 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: FWN, 10 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 20020505007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020505007769A), May 5, 2002: Amtr D260, Andover, NJ, No damage. (.19) On may 5, 2002, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a d'apuzzo D-260 homebuilt airplane, N112JF, was substantially damaged while landing at… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54640. 865 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.