Schweizer G-164B N3633S

Summary

On 26 August 2008 at about 18:15 local time, a Schweizer G-164B registered N3633S, operated by Howard Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 2008 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States

Nearest airport

Fletcher Field Airport (CKM)

Coordinates

34.2900, -90.5100

Aircraft

Schweizer G-164B

Registration

N3633S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Howard Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clarksdale → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA08LA174

Nobody was injured.

The mechanic’s failure to torque check the axle-to-spring gear attachment bolts per the manufacturer's Annual/100-Hour Airframe Inspection Checklist, resulting in fatigue failure of the bolts.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While applying the left brake during taxi after landing, the pilot first heard a "loud pop from the left gear" and during further brake application, the left axle and wheel assembly separated. Two MS20008H22 bolts and one AN509-616-35 screw that secure the axle to the spring leg were fractured. The failure mode of the bolts was due to fatigue, and was typical of bolts that are insufficiently torqued. The mechanic who last inspected the airplane used his own checklist and did not torque check the bolts and screw, which is required by the manufacturer's Annual/100-Hour Airframe Inspection Checklist.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.