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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 7, 1997 · Piper PA-18-150 · N4056Z

Rogers City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rogers City, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N4056Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA139

According to the pilot, the tailwheel began to shimmy during the landing roll and the tailwheel spring on the left side became disconnected. The airplane spun around 270 degrees and the left wing contacted the runway. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated the groundspeed was very slow when the spring disconnected which resulted in a lack of rudder authority to control the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the disconnection of the tailwheel spring which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Full Narrative

On May 7, 1997, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4056Z, operated by a commercial pilot ground looped during a landing roll at the Presque Isle County Airport, Rogers City, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Alpena, Michigan, at 1700 edt. The pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 09 (3,017' x 60', asphalt) the tailwheel began to shimmy. He reported that the spring on the left side of the tailwheel became disconnected which resulted in a loss of steering control. He reported the groundspeed was too slow to have any rudder authority. The airplane ground looped 270 degrees to the right during which time the left wing struck the ground. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway into the grass prior to coming to rest.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPresque Isle County (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length3017 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN4056Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 2 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data