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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

July 31, 2001 · Steen Skybolt · N66FW

Warrenton, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Warrenton, VA
Aircraft
Steen Skybolt
Tail Number
N66FW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD01LA090

The CFI was giving tailwheel instruction to the private pilot. After one hour of practicing grass landings, they returned to the airport for a full-stop landing. During touchdown, the pilot applied "too much rudder," the tailwheel began to shimmy, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. No mechanical deficiencies were reported by the pilots. The CFI reported 23,000 hours of total flight time, 3,800 hours of tail wheel flight time, and 10 hours of flight time in make and model. The winds reported at an airport 8 miles away, were from 130 degrees at 3 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

On July 31, 2001, at 1350 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Skybolt, N66FW, was substantially damaged during landing at the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (W66), Warrenton, Virginia. The certified flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight instructor, he was giving tail wheel instruction to the private pilot. They practiced landings for about an hour in a grass field, and then returned to Warrenton for a full stop landing on runway 14. The flight instructor reported that the wind was "light but cross from the right," and he instructed the student to perform the landing. He stated there was "too much rudder input" at touchdown, the tail wheel began to shimmy, and the aircraft swerved to the right. The flight instructor stated he was unable to correct the swerve, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The flight instructor reported 23,000 hours of total flight time, 3,800 hours of tail wheel flight time, and 10 hours of flight time in make and model. He also reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The private pilot reported 115 hours of total flight experience, 6 hours of which were in make and model. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane. According to the inspector, the fuselage was "buckled," and substantial damage was noted to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. The winds reported at the Culpeper Regional Airport, 8 miles away, were from 130 degrees at 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 EDT
Nearest AirportWarrenton-Fauquier Airport (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length4103 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSteen Skybolt
Tail NumberN66FW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.27 inHg
Observation Time17:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data