Probable cause
The separation of the right main wheel from the landing gear during takeoff for an undetermined reason.. Contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain and that directional control was not possible.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA111 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 18, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Onida, South Dakota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Highlander
- N-number
- N8888V
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.