Aviation Accident Summary CHI94LA312

MILWAUKEE, WI, USA

Aircraft #1

N9955V

CESSNA 172

Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON ITS MAIN LANDING GEAR. SHE STATED THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED UPON TOUCHDOWN AND THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT THEN LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC REVEALED NO THIN OR WORN AREAS ON THE NOSE WHEEL TIRE. HEAVY WRINKLING WAS OBSERVED ON THE AIRPLANE COWLING. THE UPPER NOSE STRUT SUPPORT WAS BROKEN AT THE BOLT LUGS. RIVETS WERE SHEARED ON ONE SIDE OF THE STRUT AND PULLED ON THE OTHER SIDE. ALL RIVETS OF THE LOWER NOSE STRUT SUPPORT WERE SHEARED IN A REARWARD DIRECTION.

Factual Information

On September 4, 1994, at 1548 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N9955V, sustained substantial damage while landing at Milwaukee-Timmerman Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Neither the pilot nor the two passengers were injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Appleton, Wisconsin, at 1450. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. In a written statement, the pilot reported the airplane touched down on runway 15L (4100' x 75') on its main landing gear. She stated the nose wheel collapsed upon touchdown and the propeller struck the runway despite her efforts to hold the nose wheel off the ground. The pilot stated she then lost directional control of the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane was performed by a local mechanic. He stated the nose wheel tire appeared to have been in good condition. No thin or worn areas were noted on the tire which could have indicated a tire failure. Heavy wrinkling was observed on the cowling of the airplane. The upper nose strut support was broken at the bolt lugs. Rivets were sheared on one side of the strut and pulled on the other side. All rivets of the lower nose strut support were sheared in a rearward direction.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's improper flare during touchdown. A factor in the accident was the rupture of the nose landing gear tire.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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