Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the land roll, the pilot stated that as the ground speed and control effectiveness decreased, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder control and braking action; however, the airplane continued to rotate to the left until it ground looped. After the accident, the pilot noted that the right main landing gear had separated from the fuselage at its attach point. Inspection of the attachment bolt revealed evidence of an overload separation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 13, 1994, approximately 2000 hours mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 140, N3736V, registered to Sundance Aviation, Inc., and being flown by Dan T. Miller, a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed and separated from the aircraft during landing roll at a private airstrip near Dayton, Wyoming. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with 14CFR91, and originated from the accident site airstrip approximately 1930 hours. The pilot reported that the landing was a normal three point touch down. During the roll out, as the airplane slowed and control effectiveness decreased, the aircraft began to gradually veer left. The pilot applied right rudder control, however, the airplane continued to the left. The pilot increased the rudder control and applied braking action, however, the airplane continued to gradually rotate to the left. At the beginning of the left turn, the pilot stated that the airplane sank slightly to the right. The airplane continued to rotate to the left until the left wheel lifted off the ground and the airplane ground looped approximately 135 degrees counter clockwise before coming to a stop. After the accident, the pilot noted that the right main landing gear separated from the fuselage at its attach point, and was laying approximately ten feet from where the airplane came to rest. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Denver, Colorado, Flight Standards District Office inspected the attachment bolt for the right main landing gear and found evidence of an overload separation. The brakes were free from binding and did not reveal evidence of overheating. -