Plane crash at Northrepps saw wheels come off on runway

The Extra EA 300/L, a two-seated aerobatic monoplane, came into land at Northrepps Aerodrome at 11.45am on January 17 and crashed on the runway.

There were two people aboard the 2007-built plane - a 71-year-old pilot and a passenger. 

A photograph showing the runway witness marks after the incident (Image: Air Accidents Investigation Branch) The pilot had been conducting a familiarisation flight in the plane which involved three circuits before landing on the grass runway.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report found that immediately after touchdown both wheels detached and the main landing gear collapsed causing the propeller to strike the ground.

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The aircraft was able to come to a stop on the left side of the runway and no injuries were reported. 

The damaged axle attachment bolts (Image: Air Accidents Investigation Branch) According to the report, the pilot had 21,404 hours, of which 64 hours were flying the same type of plane. 

The pilot noted that while the aircraft routinely experienced firm landings and heavy braking at Northrepps Aerodrome due to the 615 m runway length, he didn't feel that the landing had been heavier than normal and both passengers confirmed their feet were clear of the brake.

The report found that the axle attachment fasteners of both wheels failed due to the nuts being pulled from the bolts under load and it is possible the bolt threads had been damaged during the axle removal and refitting process when the bolts were re-used. 

As a result of the incident, the aircraft manufacturer, Extra Aircraft Company, is taking safety action across their maintenance manuals to include an additional instruction to fit new bolts when refitting the axles.