Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 9.8; Flight Crew Total 600.9; Flight Crew Type 37.8
Confusion; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure; Manuals
The event occurred in the landing phase of operation that involved the fiberglass landing gear leg failure. It may have been caused by a hard landing or maybe prior fatigue issues. No one was injured nor was there other property damage. I did not think that it met the specifications of either an accident or even an incident to be reported according to FAR 830. The aircraft affected areas are mainly the failed leg and light scuffing on the right wing tip. I have a Repairman Light Sport Aircraft certificate. The landing was on a grass area parallel to Runway 27. I need to be more aware of the stall speed and to be aware of the approved runways; being a combination of practice and knowledge. I hope that this report satisfies the reporting requirements.There was concern expressed about experimental spray equipment that was installed in place of the rear seat. The equipment used both the seat brackets and was also secured by the seat and shoulder belts. The weight of the equipment weight was much less than allowable passenger weight and in the same place within the center of gravity envelope. I did not feel that a new weight and balance was required and the installation was a minor alteration. Short tubes were installed in the unused main gear bracket with all the balance of equipment being inside the passenger compartment. None of these items would change or affect the handling and flying or safety characteristics of the aircraft. The installed equipment was incomplete and in a testing phase similar to a phase one fly-off. I had not done a log book entry since the installation was still being modified. My intentions were to mount the spray booms and nozzles and then do a weight and balance. The booms would have been a major alteration and have required a phase one fly-off. The log book entries did not keep pace with the installation nor did I have a new fly-off area that differed from the previous owner. This needs to be done. I now realize that I need to be proactive in this process.
A CGS Hawk Arrow II right fiberglass landing gear leg failed during landing causing minor damage to the right wing tip; but no injury. A previous hard landing or fatigue are suspected causes.