Waco ASO N119Y accident near Hamilton, Ohio

Probable cause

The separation of the right main landing gear axle, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that after touching down, smoothly on centerline, the airplane veered right. He attempted to apply corrective control inputs which were not successful. The airplane then began to slide, which resulted in the left main wheel and subsequently the right main wheel separating from the landing gear. The airplane continued to slide on the main landing gear struts, with the lower left wing dragging on the runway, until the airplane came to stop on the edge of the runway nearly, and oriented nearly perpendicular to it. This resulted in substantial damage to the lower left wing and aileron. Postaccident photographs showed a rubber witness mark on the right main landing gear strut and fractures of both the main landing gear wheel axles. Given this information, it is likely that during the touchdown sequence the right main landing gear wheel axle began to separate, which resulted in the right main wheel coming into contact with the right main landing gear strut. The contact with the right main landing gear strut likely resulted in the right uncorrectable motion the pilot reported and subsequent sideload and separation of both main landing gear.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA280 for the full record.