Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that the student pilot's approach to a turf runway in the vintage biplane was normal; however, the landing flare was high and the touchdown was firm. After touchdown, the right main landing gear upper strut arm separated, which resulted in a collapse of the right main landing gear. Metallurgical examination of the fractured upper strut arm revealed the tube was buckled and bent and had fracture features consistent with overstress and bending of the tube in one direction. No evidence of preexisting cracking or fatigue was noted.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12LA518 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 16, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Worton, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Meyers OTW-160
- N-number
- N26490
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.