NTSB Factual Report

On November 2, 2001, approximately 1400 mountain standard time, a Fetherolf Hatz CB-1 experimental-category amateur-built airplane, N26WF, suffered a broken weld in the right main landing gear during landing at Ontario, Oregon, resulting in a separation of the right main gear tire. The airplane subsequently departed the side of the landing runway and nosed down, receiving substantial damage. The private pilot-in-command of the aircraft, who owned and had built the airplane and was its sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions with light and variable winds prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight from Nampa, Idaho.

The pilot reported that he landed to the north (runway 32) on a 4,529- by 100-foot hard-surface runway. He reported that he touched down with a light bounce. He stated that while rolling, there was suddenly a violent pull to the right after hearing a "crunch." The pilot reported that he applied left brake but that the plane left the runway to the right, went into the dirt and up onto its nose and upper left wingtip. He reported that the airplane, including the part that suffered the broken weld, had 17.4 hours total time. The pilot listed "better construction [technique] by builder" as an owner/operator safety recommendation on his NTSB accident report.

The pilot, who also held a repairman/experimental aircraft builder certificate for the accident aircraft, indicated on his NTSB accident report that the aircraft's last inspection was a continuous airworthiness inspection performed on August 3, 1995, 17.4 flight hours before the accident. A copy of the aircraft's engine log furnished by the pilot contained an entry dated September 15, 2001, for a "conditional inspection" signed by the pilot. The pilot did not furnish a copy of the aircraft log. According to the FAA aircraft registry, the accident aircraft received an experimental/amateur-built airworthiness certificate on April 22, 1999.

NTSB Probable Cause

An improper weld in the landing gear, resulting in separation of the right main landing gear wheel during a normal landing.