Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT N233TD

Summary

On 21 September 2017 at about 15:45 local time, a Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT registered N233TD was involved in an accident near Old Forge, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

21 September 2017 at 15:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Old Forge, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Old Forge (NK26)

Coordinates

43.7253, -74.9761

Aircraft

Thomas J Murray KITFOX SUPER SPORT

Registration

N233TD

Category

Airplane

Year built

2014

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fulton → Old Forge

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA554

2 people had minor injuries.

The separation of the wheel assembly during landing due to the pilot’s use of improper retaining nuts when he installed the tundra tires.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, he touched down on a turf surface runway, and the airplane bounced. When the airplane descended to the surface, the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly separated from the landing gear leg. The pilot reported that the airplane "skidded down" the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that he had recently installed tundra tires on the airplane and that the four bolts that came with the tundra tire kit were not long enough to properly secure the wheel and brake assembly to the landing gear leg. He recalled that he used four bolts that were longer; however, they were not provided by the manufacturer. He asserted that the nuts he used to retain the bolts were provided in the wheel assembly kit. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the left-wing spar.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.