NTSB Factual Report

On May 30, 2003, at 1400 central daylight time, a North American T-28A single-engine airplane, N14124, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage during landing roll at the West Houston Airport (IWS), near Houston, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight departed from the Richard Lloyd James Jr. Airport (RVS), near Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1200 and was destined for IWS.

The 1,224-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while landing on runway 15, a 3,900-foot long asphalt runway, the airplane touched down at approximately 75 knots. When the nose wheel touched down, there was a "minor high frequency shimmy and he immediately pulled the stick back and the shimmy stopped." As the airspeed bled off, the nose wheel came back in contact with the runway and "tracked straight down the runway." At approximately 15 to 18 knots, the airplane suddenly started to shimmy "so bad, he couldn't even see." He stopped the airplane, and then taxied to the ramp to inspect the airplane.

Examination of the aircraft by an FAA investigator, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed the nose gearbox, lower engine cowlings, and nose gear doors were damaged. Further inspection revealed the forward engine firewall was structurally damaged. Examination of the runway by the pilot revealed 9 1/2 nose wheel tire oscillation marks within a distance of 74 feet long..

Examination of the aircraft logbooks revealed the nose wheel shimmy damper was repacked prior to departing RVS.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the nose wheel landing gear shimmy damper for undetermined reasons.