Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the main landing gear (MLG) truss, which resulted in the MLG spreading apart.
NTSB analysis
After landing and while taxiing to the hangar, the bottom of the airplane's fuselage began to drag on the ground. Realizing that something was wrong, the pilot stopped the airplane and turned the engine magneto switch to off. Postaccident examination revealed that a fatigue failure of the main landing gear (MLG) truss had occurred, which allowed the MLG to spread apart.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA271 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 14, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lexington, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Cotton Patch (TA75)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Skybolt
- N-number
- N22GL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.