The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped Starduster Too reported that this was his third test flight.
During the landing roll, he heard a loud noise, and the left side of the airplane dropped.
The airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway at the airport in Tucson, Arizona.
The left side of the airplane dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over.
The FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane reported that the left main landing gear axle weld had failed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the right upper wing spar.
Probable cause: The failure of the left main landing gear axle weld during the landing roll.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA180
This March 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
This is one of the risks in buying a partly complete aircraft, and not knowing the workmanship of the builder.
The pilot also reported that the landing gear was not built to the plans and that he will rebuild it to the plans….along with the upper wing, struts, rudder and engine/ propeller and mount.
I hope it was his own made weld that failed so nobody else need to be blamed. Or maybe axle was too long because bad design.
Welding dc hould/must be done properly and inspected with more than the naked eye.