Captain Avgas
Well Known Member
A thread was started in the VansAirforce classified section yesterday to sell a damaged RV6A that had experienced a nose gear failure. As it turned out the nose gear had an Anti-Splat Nose Job installed. The case is interesting because according to the pilot/owner ("Flydoc") the nose gear failed in seemingly very benign circumstances.
The original thread has been closed but those wanting to read it can access it here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=111922
The most relevant comments by "Flydoc" in that thread in relation to the incident are as follows:
"It was at the end of a smooth landing, extrememly smooth grass strip, about 20MPH, nose wheel just folded under above nose job, engine was at idle. It was like slow motion, no flip of course, just utter dissapointment and sadness.
This was a crazy bummer of a day. I've landed on this strip I happen to own many many times. Its smooth like butter according to all who have also landed there. hard packed, grassy, mowed. It kills me to lose one of my favorite toys".
Subsequently "Flydoc" contacted me by private message and gave me permission to post his further comments on the nose gear collapse. They are as follows:
"Feel free to post a little summary if you think it will help people. Just I had the anti-splat nose job on the RV six-day. I also had the upgraded front strut going to the service bulletin in two thousand and nine. Nose gear that over and broke right at the point of insertion of coarse above the nose job. There were no other modifications that I know of like to the bearings, or the bouncing of the wheel or anything to that effect. The plane flew and landed very smoothly. On about the time of the accident, I felt a little bit of vibration and then just folded over. The plane just went straight down onto his nose, the engine was at idol, and it just stopped I n the ground. Like I said, it was slow motion, nonviolent whatsoever, and just kind of all **** moment. I certainly can't fault people who manufacture the nose job, Its a very nice device. I've seen video with the planes have flipped over and going very slow. This however, was a little bit different. It was he at the end of a very smooth landing going 15 to 20 mph basically taxing speed, and it just folded over. But I sold the plane to the very first looker and he is very happy".
I thank Flydoc for commenting on this incident. I'm sure the information will be interesting to many people.
The original thread has been closed but those wanting to read it can access it here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=111922
The most relevant comments by "Flydoc" in that thread in relation to the incident are as follows:
"It was at the end of a smooth landing, extrememly smooth grass strip, about 20MPH, nose wheel just folded under above nose job, engine was at idle. It was like slow motion, no flip of course, just utter dissapointment and sadness.
This was a crazy bummer of a day. I've landed on this strip I happen to own many many times. Its smooth like butter according to all who have also landed there. hard packed, grassy, mowed. It kills me to lose one of my favorite toys".
Subsequently "Flydoc" contacted me by private message and gave me permission to post his further comments on the nose gear collapse. They are as follows:
"Feel free to post a little summary if you think it will help people. Just I had the anti-splat nose job on the RV six-day. I also had the upgraded front strut going to the service bulletin in two thousand and nine. Nose gear that over and broke right at the point of insertion of coarse above the nose job. There were no other modifications that I know of like to the bearings, or the bouncing of the wheel or anything to that effect. The plane flew and landed very smoothly. On about the time of the accident, I felt a little bit of vibration and then just folded over. The plane just went straight down onto his nose, the engine was at idol, and it just stopped I n the ground. Like I said, it was slow motion, nonviolent whatsoever, and just kind of all **** moment. I certainly can't fault people who manufacture the nose job, Its a very nice device. I've seen video with the planes have flipped over and going very slow. This however, was a little bit different. It was he at the end of a very smooth landing going 15 to 20 mph basically taxing speed, and it just folded over. But I sold the plane to the very first looker and he is very happy".
I thank Flydoc for commenting on this incident. I'm sure the information will be interesting to many people.