Cessna 190 N1500D accident near San Luis Obispo, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a failure of the right main landing gear and subsequent ground loop.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane’s right main gear began to track under the fuselage. As the airplane slowed, he was unable to keep the aircraft under directional control. The airplane then ground-looped, substantially damaging the right wing.

Metallurgical examination revealed the attachment bolts for the right main landing gear failed in downward and slightly aft bending. The two lower bolts fractured in overstress. The upper bolt was bent, and the nut was stripped. A side load on the right main landing gear wheel would have placed the axle in downward bending and drag forces during landing and roll out would have resulted in an aft loading component. The damage signatures observed were consistent with separation of the axle from the landing gear spring as a result of a ground loop.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC24LA036 for the full record.