Probable cause
The failure of the left main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the ground roll.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot was landing the airplane on the runway at an ultralight airfield. After the airplane touched down, the left main landing gear (MLG) collapsed at the bottom end of the strut. The airplane ground looped, and the right wingtip struck the ground. The pilot stated that the landing was smooth and gentle, not hard, and that there was no side load on the landing gear at touchdown. He added that he suspected that a previous landing may have been hard, which resulted in a crack in the landing gear.
An examination of the left MLG revealed that the upper/outer strut tubing was broken, and the lower/inner strut tubing was bent. There was no evidence of fatigue. It could not be determined if the crack occurred as a result of the accident or was preexisting.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18TA296 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 26, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Wittman Rgnl (OSH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built DAKATO HAWK
- N-number
- N677TS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2016
- 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.