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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 24, 1995 · Champion 7FC · N9899B

Fredericksburg, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 24, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Fredericksburg, TX
Aircraft
Champion 7FC
Tail Number
N9899B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW96LA052

During the landing roll, the airplane began a slow left turn. The pilot corrected with full right rudder, and when the airplane did not respond, he then applied the right heel brake. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered newly plowed dirt and nosed over. An aircraft mechanic examined the airplane and reported that when right rudder was applied, the tailwheel did not swivel freely, but required 'a lot of pressure' to break it loose from the centered position. The pilot stated that his inexperience prevented him from realizing the tailwheel steering on the airplane was not working properly. He further stated that he should have used the brakes sooner. The pilot had a total of 17 hours flight time in tailwheel airplanes, all of which were in the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the binding tailwheel and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes.

Full Narrative

On November 24, 1995, at 1230 central standard time, a Champion 7FC, N9899B, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing near Fredericksburg, Texas. The commercial pilot/operator was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane departed Comfort, Texas, approximately 1100 for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane began a "slow left turn." He corrected with "full" right rudder pedal and, when the airplane did not respond, then applied the right heel brake. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered "newly plowed dirt," nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the right wing sustained structural damage and the right lift strut was bent. An aircraft mechanic examined the airplane and reported that, when the rudder was moved right, the tailwheel did not "swivel freely" to the right. He stated that "a lot of pressure" was required to break the tailwheel loose from its centered position. During a telephone interview conducted by the investigator-in- charge, the pilot stated that his "inexperience" prevented him from realizing the tailwheel steering on the airplane was not working properly. He further stated that he "should have used the brakes sooner." The pilot had a total of 17 hours flight time in tailwheel airplanes, all of which were in the accident airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CST
Nearest AirportGillespie County (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length4600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7FC
Tail NumberN9899B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90-12F · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data