Probable cause
The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control after landing with an excessive ground speed due to a tailwind which, resulted in a severe shimmy which subsequently damaged a hydraulic brake line.
NTSB analysis
The pilot in the experimental amateur-built tricycle landing gear equipped airplane reported that, he was not aware that a 10-mph tailwind existed during landing. He normally touches down at 90 mph, however with the tailwind, the airplane’s ground speed was 104 mph when the airplane touched down and a severe shimmy ensued. The pilot applied the brakes, however the left side brake failed, and the airplane veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and subsequently impacted a hangar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and engine mounts.
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear wheel pant inboard bracket rivets failed, and the wheel pant severed the plastic hydraulic brake line.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA355 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 25, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Big Bear, California
- Nearest airport
- Big Bear City Airport (L35)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built PULSAR XP
- N-number
- N204BH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- 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.