Wheels

The tailwheel could not be steered during an annual inspection. The tailwheel had been painted; its grease fitting had been completely covered. The owner stated a technician told him not to grease the tailwheel and to tighten the nut on the bottom of the steering pivot bolt as tight as possible. Disassembly revealed all parts inside the tailwheel unit were extremely worn.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A range of landing gear component failures, including poorly maintained tailwheels, corroded parts, and cracked wheel halves, highlight the critical need for diligent maintenance and proper torque application.
Manufacturing and assembly defects, such as inadequate weld penetration in nose wheel struts, can lead to catastrophic failures and aircraft damage during critical flight phases like takeoff.
Incidents involving separated wheel rims and loose or missing wheel assembly bolts underscore the importance of both material integrity and precise assembly for safe aircraft operation.