# NTSB SEA92LA185: Schaknowski Dyke Delta JD-2, N78BS, Billings, MT, August 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1992, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.650794, -108.380706 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6508&lon=-108.3807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA185

## Probable cause

FATIGUE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AXLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,axle - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LANDING WAS NOT HARD AND WAS FREE OF SIDE LOADS. FAA EXAMINATION OF THE SEPARATED WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AXLE HAD SEPARATED ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FOLLOWED BY THE SEPARATION OF THE STRUT. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT WHEEL AXLE REVEALED A PRE-EXISTING CRACK CONSISTENT WITH FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78BS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78BS-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 1077, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHAKNOWSKI DYKE DELTA JD-2 (DYKE DELTA)
- Registry model: [Schaknowski DYKE DELTA JD-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/schaknowski-dyke-delta-jd-2) (registry code 0566507) (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: 1077
- Airframe hours: 960
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schaknowski, Bernard J.
- Registered owner: Schaknowski, Bernard J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Airport: BIL, Billings Logan Intnl, runway 7, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,735 total, 960 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 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 19920821032599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920821032599A), Aug 21, 1992: Amtrdk DYKEDELTAJD2, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Right main wheel axle broke on landing. Had preexisting fatigue crack.

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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