FTW96LA011

Factual narrative

On October 6, 1995, at 2040 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 195A, N9867A, registered to a private owner and operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was substantially damaged while landing near Taos, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country pleasure flight and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Midland, Texas, approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot reported in his Pilot/Operator Report that, during the landing roll, the left wing came up. He applied left rudder and aileron; however, "the aircraft started turning right and did not respond." He "cut" the power and applied the brakes. The left wheel separated from the landing gear strut and the left strut dug into the runway turning the aircraft left 180 degrees. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the left spring steel landing gear strut and the gear box had separated from the aircraft. The propeller had impacted the runway and the left wing was damaged. The wheel assembly, which is normally attached to the landing gear strut with 3 bolts, was found 75 yards down the runway. Of these three bolts, one "had no nut or damage", one "had stripped threads", and one was "pulled until it broke." The pilot reported that during the landing roll the left wing came up. He applied left rudder and aileron; however, 'the aircraft started turning right and did not respond.' He cut the power and applied the brakes. The left wheel came off, and the left strut dug into the runway turning the aircraft left 180 degrees. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the left spring steel landing gear strut and the gear box had separated from the aircraft. The propeller had impacted the runway and the left wing was damaged. The wheel assembly, which is attached to the landing gear strut with 3 bolts, was found 75 yards down the runway. Of these three bolts, one 'had no nut or damage', one 'had stripped threads', and one was 'pulled until it broke.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12