Wilde Mickey QUESTAIR 20 N94FA

Summary

On 15 February 1998 at about 14:10 local time, a Wilde Mickey QUESTAIR 20 registered N94FA, operated by Howard F. Auman, was involved in an accident near Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 February 1998 at 14:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Piedmont Triad Int. A/P (GSO)

Coordinates

36.1199, -79.8910

Aircraft

Wilde Mickey QUESTAIR 20

Registration

N94FA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Howard F. Auman

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98LA043

1 person had minor injuries.

The improper installation of the nose landing gear strut, which led to the collapse of the nose gear upon touchdown.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, when he retracted the landing gear, the nose gear indicator light was red, indicating the gear was not up and locked. He recycled the gear and still saw a red light, so the pilot flew under the maximum gear extension speed. On approach, the pilot stated he extended the landing gear, and got a green indicator light, indicating the gear was down and locked. As the airplane touched down, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the runway and nosed over. According to the FAA inspector, examination of the landing gear and skid marks on the runway revealed that the nose wheel was turned beyond its normal limits on touchdown. He stated that a Malfunction and Defect Report was submitted on the nose landing gear strut. According to the FAA, in conversations with the kit manufacturer, it was noted that the nose gear on this airplane was designed poorly, in that it must be installed perfectly to work correctly. Because of the inexperience of some kit builders, this can lead to problems. Both the FAA and the kit manufacturer believe that the servicing of the nose gear aggravated a pre-existing problem with the nose gear installation, which led to the collapse.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.