Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA011

Cedartown, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N323WG

DEHAVILLAND DHC 1

Analysis

According to the pilot in the experimental, tailwheel-equipped airplane, when the tailwheel touched down during the landing roll, the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and continued about 100 ft down sloping terrain where it came to rest upright. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot used a fire extinguisher from the airplane to spray the area of the smoke. However, the airplane continued smoking. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The pilot reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The METAR nearest to the accident airport reported the same. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to the pilot in the experimental, tailwheel-equipped airplane, when the tailwheel touched down during the landing roll, the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and continued about 100ft down sloping terrain where it came to rest upright. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane, and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot, using a fire extinguisher from the airplane, sprayed the area of the smoke. However, the airplane continued smoking. The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire The pilot reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The METAR nearest the accident airport, reported the same. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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