Investigation number
198902535
Occurrence date
Location
Tamworth
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Airframe - Other
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

The pilot was conducting superphosphate spreading operations from a short narrow agricultural strip. During the landing roll on the trip prior to the accident the pilot felt something unusual about the landing gear so he inspected the wheels but found nothing abnormal. The oleos and torque links were not inspected. During the subsequent take off the left mainwheel and oleo strut separated from the landing gear assembly fracturing the hydraulic brake line. The pilot flew the aircraft to his base aerodrome and carried out a landing on the grass strip without further damage. An inspection of the landing gear showed that the left main torque link attachment bolt had failed allowing the oleo and wheel to separate from the landing gear assembly. The bolt was not recovered therefore the precise reason for the failure of the bolt was not determined. The investigation revealed that this is a recurring problem with this aircraft type due to shear load fatigue of the attachment bolt.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Airparts NZ Ltd
Model
FU-24
Registration
VH-HVO
Serial number
102
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
"Amaroo" 44km SW Quirindi NSW
Departure time
1010
Destination
Amaroo 44km SW Quirindi NSW
Damage
Minor