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NTSB Report
April 3, 1993 · John Thomason LACO 145 · N89ST
Tuskegee, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tuskegee, AL
Aircraft
John Thomason LACO 145
Tail Number
N89ST
Operator
Grimes Charles J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93LA069
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING A NORMAL LANDING; THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN FIRST, THEN THE MAINS. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST, AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL WHEEL LEAF SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THERE WAS CORROSION ON ONE OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES; HOWEVER, METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE SPRINGS REVEALED THAT ALL FRACTURES WERE FROM OVERLOAD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ALL OF THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE NOT LOCATED; THEREFORE, A COMPLETE METALLURGICAL STUDY WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE AIRCRAFT TOTAL TIME WAS 26 HOURS; HOWEVER, THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE INSTALLED IN A USED CONDITION, AND THE MAINTENANCE HISTORY OF THE SPRINGS WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE TAIL WHEEL LEAF SPRINGS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING A NORMAL LANDING; THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN FIRST, THEN THE MAINS. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST, AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL WHEEL LEAF SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THERE WAS CORROSION ON ONE OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES; HOWEVER, METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE SPRINGS REVEALED THAT ALL FRACTURES WERE FROM OVERLOAD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ALL OF THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE NOT LOCATED; THEREFORE, A COMPLETE METALLURGICAL STUDY WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE AIRCRAFT TOTAL TIME WAS 26 HOURS; HOWEVER, THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE INSTALLED IN A USED CONDITION, AND THE MAINTENANCE HISTORY OF THE SPRINGS WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 CST
Nearest AirportTuskegee Municipal (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftJohn Thomason LACO 145
Tail NumberN89ST
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGrimes Charles J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-C · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC