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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 30, 1999 · Champion 7FC · N4873E

Powderly, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Powderly, TX
Aircraft
Champion 7FC
Tail Number
N4873E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW00LA013

During the landing roll, the airplane was uncontrollable and 'veered violently to the right.' The pilot added full power to avoid hitting a house. Subsequently, the airplane passed over the house, landed, and slid to a stop on its nose. Examination revealed that the springs had been removed from the tailwheel assembly. The pilot/owner stated that he did not look at the tailwheel assembly during the preflight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, during which he failed to detect the disconnected tailwheel steering assembly.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 1999, at 1030 central daylight time, a Champion 7FC tailwheel equipped airplane, N4873E, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a go-around at a private turf airstrip near Powderly, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from the private Flying Tiger Airport near Powderly, Texas, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot/owner reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), that the airplane was at the Flying Tiger Airport, Powderly, Texas, for an annual maintenance inspection. To the owner's knowledge, the mechanic had not performed the requested maintenance on the aircraft, and the owner decided to fly the airplane to another private airstrip at Powderly, Texas for the annual inspection. The owner stated that during the departure from the Flying Tiger Airport, the takeoff had "felt touchy." During the landing at Powderly, the airplane was uncontrollable during the landing roll and "veered violently to the right." The pilot added full power to avoid hitting a house. Subsequently, the airplane passed over the house, landed, and "slid to a stop on its nose." The pilot and the FAA inspector examined the aircraft. The tailwheel springs were found removed from the tailwheel assembly. The fuselage was damaged at the right wing strut attachment point and the right wing spar was bent. The pilot's total flight time was 700 hours, of which 30 hours were in the accident aircraft. The pilot reported to the IIC that following the accident, he was informed that the mechanic at the Flying Tiger Airport had removed the springs from the tailwheel. The pilot further stated that he did not look at the tailwheel assembly during the preflight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7FC
Tail NumberN4873E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C90 · Reciprocating · 90

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data