NTSB Reports

The pilot purchased the airplane the day prior to the accident. He departed the airport and performed maneuvers in the local area, then returned and completed four normal wheel landings. On the fifth landing, at about 30 mph, the tailwheel settled to the runway. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot stated he felt a rumble "like a machine gun" and the airplane veered to the right. He applied left rudder, and the airplane subsequently veered left off the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing spar sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain. Examination revealed the tailwheel was cocked to the right, perpendicular to the fuselage.

Key Takeaways:

• Several incidents involved engine power loss or significant engine malfunctions, leading to forced landings and in some cases, serious injuries or fatalities.
• A number of accidents occurred during critical flight phases, such as landing, takeoff, or go-arounds, with contributing factors including landing gear failures, runway excursions, or stalls.
• Pilot judgment and aircraft configuration were identified as contributing factors in some cases, including flying overweight or outside the center of gravity envelope, and handling errors during critical maneuvers.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.