MONTAGUE, CA, USA
N4W
WEAVER WACO-ASO
THE CERTIFICATED PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING THE AIRPORT FOLLOWING A REFUELING STOP ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM A VINTAGE AIRPLANE SHOW. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION IN THE TAILWHEEL. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT BRAKE. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY. THE AIRPLANE THEN SETTLED AND THE RIGHT WHEEL CONTACTED THE RUNWAY SURFACE WITH THE BRAKE LOCKED. THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. A WITNESS REPORTED HEARING SCRAPING AND SQUEAKING NOISES EMANATING FROM THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND MENTIONED IT TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE HAD 'SOFT BRAKES' IN THE PAST. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE TAILWHEEL BEARING WAS FOUND SHATTERED BUT THIS HAD OCCURRED DURING THE INITIAL TRIP TO THE VINTAGE AIRSHOW.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IMPROPER USE OF THE BRAKES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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