Gear Up Landing (No, not that kind!)

[rdhodges]

Monday (Aug 14) upon departure from Santa Fe, NM - the nosewheel on my LongEZ sheared off the axle just as we rotated.  Not sure if this was due to shimmy or possibly hitting a rut (never saw it if so).  Nosewheel ended up misaligned by aprox 120 degrees,  due to this the gear would not fully retract.  Decided to return to Gillespie due to lower field elevation (385 vs 6300 ft).  Landing was benign, very uneventful - aircraft suffered no damage to glass, just some minor scraping of the nose gear.  Tower crew at Gillespie did a great job, lots of traffic and radio chatter - they kept distractions down at all times.

My most interesting observation was the "cushioning effect" provided by the gear as the nose settled, seemed very gentle.  Directional control was no different than normal, I doubt even a bit of a crosswind would have posed much in the way of added difficulties.  News 8's helicopter managed to position themselves perfectly to film the "non-event", don't know if it was Seau's retirement or the lack of drama that kept this off the evening news - a nice turn of events either way.

My "hindsight take" on this is that, if faced with the choice - even a partially retracted gear is a far better choice than down and locked with a disabled wheel.  

The situation was also enhanced by the presence of the right kind of passenger - mine kept her concerns to herself, she never once showed signs of nervousness.  

I would appreciate any feedback pertaining to a more robust wheel design.  As I understand, a shimmy dampener was installed on my nosegear.  This is one EZ pilot that is actually glad to have joined "the club" ("those who have, those who will").

[Gilbert DRIEUX]

Monday (Aug 14) This is one EZ pilot that is actually glad to have joined "the club" ("those who have, those who will").

 :lol: You are welcome  :wink:

 :oops: very uneventful ......
It hapend to me 2 weeks ago, afternoon last flight, cheking speed w a new prop; satisfyed w figure, discussing w ground's friends and .....  forget to set gear down. (Standard worm gear system) Damned check list.
Usualy I confirm "Down wind, gear down". Skip one step one time is suffisant for consequences (and enough, I hope for futur......).
Splatch !....promptly understood the situation, and remember an "experimented" friend ("those who have"... 2nd issue....) : don't wory; continue "as usual", nothing will happend but stop, not necessary to have heavy bracking, engine off, advise traffic that runway is momentaly "not cleared"..., as soon as stoped, go out, extend gear (it is time!.....), check nose gear quikly, step in, start engine, and taxi slowly remaining runway down for normal exit, advise "Runway cleared"...........
Total elapsed time : 1 minute, or less...... :oops:  :roll:

Just some glass and epoxy for the nose bottom and a new aluminium plate (and change 4 screws).
 :arrow: And ad a warning horn as discribed in electrical section .!..............

[GlennBob]

Waiter has a great plan and wiring diagram for the nose gear warning system.

Glennbob

[Jack]

Monday (Aug 14) upon departure from Santa Fe, NM - the nosewheel on my LongEZ sheared off the axle just as we rotated.  Not sure if this was due to shimmy or possibly hitting a rut .

I would bet on a shimmy.  You need to keep the nose firmly on the tarmac and make a clean break when you rotate.  While landing once the nose touches down, keep it firmly on the tarmac.

I had a nose assembly depart one time and never did find it.  I was on a high speed runway flight and it went whammo.  Stopped fine with the remains of the nose strut.

Live and learn.

Jack

[rdhodges]

Re: possible shimmy.  Maybe, but I doubt it.  Presence of a shimmy dampener plus the total absence of any vibration prior to the wheel separation probably eliminates this possibility.  My preference is to keep the nosewheel off the ground as long as possible upon landing - and to get it off the ground asap upon takeoff - less stress on an obviously weak link.