Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA434

North Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

Aircraft #1

N96T

CLASSIC AIRCRAFT CORP WACO

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing, the airplane began to "shudder" and veered left. He corrected by applying forward pressure to the control stick and right rudder, and the airplane's tailwheel raised off the runway, and the airplane regained the runway heading. As the airspeed decreased, the tailwheel touched down on the runway, and the airplane shuddered and veered left again. He corrected with right rudder, left brake and aileron, but the airplane ground looped to the left, and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about 1 hour before the accident, the wind was from 340º at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airport's automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 8 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 5.

Factual Information

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing, the airplane began to "shudder" and veered left. He corrected with forward pressure to the control stick and opposite rudder and the airplane's tail raised off the runway and the airplane regained the runway heading. As the airspeed decreased, the tailwheel touched down again on the runway, and the airplane shuddered and veered left again. He corrected with opposite rudder, left brake and aileron, but the airplane ground looped to the left, and the main landing gears collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about one hour prior to the accident, the wind was from 340º at 12 knots, gusting 17 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time the accident, the wind was from 340° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 5.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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