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NTSB Report

July 31, 1998 · Douglas DC-3C · N305SF

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3C
Tail Number
N305SF
Operator
Galaxy Air Cargo
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC98LA114

During the landing roll, after a wheel landing, the airplane veered left and departed the runway. The airplane's tailwheel fork assembly fractured. Postaccident inspection revealed the tailwheel offset to the left of the fuselage. Inspection at the NTSB metallurgical laboratory showed overstress separations with no evidence of preexisting cracking. The airplane and assembly had both accumulated 29,846 hours in operation at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and the resulting overload fracture of the tailwheel fork assembly.

Full Narrative

On July 31, 1998, at 1526 Alaska daylight time, a Douglas DC-3C airplane, N305SF, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 32 at Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The two pilots, the only occupants, were not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a repositioning flight by Galaxy Air Cargo, Inc., of Anchorage, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The flight departed Nondalton, Alaska, at 1400 for Anchorage. The pilot reported that during a normal wheel landing, after lowering the tail at slow speed, the airplane veered left, and departed the runway edge. The airplane was then taxied to the ramp. The tail cone was dragged on the runway, damaging the tail cone attachment bulkhead. Postaccident inspection revealed two stringers in the tailwheel area requiring repair. The tailwheel was offset to the left of the fuselage, and the tailwheel fork assembly casting was found fractured. Inspection of the tailwheel fork at the NTSB metallurgical lab revealed overstress separations with no evidence of preexisting cracking. The airplane, and the tailwheel fork assembly had both accumulated 29,857 hours in operation at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:26 AKDT
Nearest AirportAnchorage International (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length10496 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-3C
Tail NumberN305SF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGalaxy Air Cargo
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · 1830-92 · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:26
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data