NTSB Factual Report

On November 13, 2014, about 1030 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur built Kitfox 6, N524MB, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at Wheat Field Airport (56NC), Columbus, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed Rutherford County Airport Marchman Field (FQD), Rutherfordton, North Carolina, about 1015. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed 56NC for a pleasure flight, and stopped at FQD for fuel before returning to 56NC. He initially reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that, while landing on the private, 1,500-foot long turf runway, he landed hard and subsequently experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane ground looped and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear wheel had separated upon touchdown. Examination of the four bolts that secured the wheel assembly to the gear leg revealed elongation of the bolts and stripping and rounding of the threads. The bolts were retained and sent to the NTSB materials laboratory for examination.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued in August 2013. He reported 254 total hours of flight experience, of which 39 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

The amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane was manufactured in May 2006, and was powered by a Continental IO-240, 125 hp reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed September 19, 2014, at a total time of 224.9 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated about 235 total hours in service.