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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

November 17, 2002 · North American T-6G · N7197C

Elbert, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Elbert, CO
Aircraft
North American T-6G
Tail Number
N7197C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA016

The pilot said that after a short flight, he made a normal landing on runway 17, touching down at 75 to 80 mph. The wind was from 220 degrees at 14 knots. He used left rudder and tail wheel steering to keep the airplane from weathervaning into the wind. About 1,000 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered sharply to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite braking, but to no avail. The airplane went off the 36 foot wide runway about 40 mph onto soft ground and nosed over. According to the pilot, when the airplane was retrieved, it was noted that the cable between the left rudder pedal pulley and the tail wheel was broken.

NTSB Probable Cause

overload failure of the cable between the left rudder pedal and the tail wheel, rendering directional control impossible and resulting in an inadvertent ground loop and nose over. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the soft, wet ground.

Full Narrative

On November 17, 2002, about 1030 mountain standard time, a North American T-6G, N7197C, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at Kelly Airpark, Elbert, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Elbert about 1015. The purpose of the flight was to take young children on their first airplane ride under the "Young Eagles" program. The pilot said that after a short flight, he made a normal three-point landing on runway 17, touching down at 75 to 80 mph. The wind was from 220 degrees at 14 knots. He used left rudder and tail wheel steering to keep the airplane from weathervaning into the wind. About 1,000 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered sharply to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite braking, but to no avail. The airplane went off the 36 foot wide runway about 40 mph onto soft ground and nosed over. According to the pilot, when the airplane was retrieved, it was noted that the cable between the left rudder pedal pulley and the tail wheel was broken. Airplane damage consisted of a crushed vertical stabilizer and rudder, left wing leading edge and tip, canopy, spinner and cowling, and a bent propeller. The engine, engine mounts, and firewall were also damaged.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MST
Nearest AirportKelly Air Park (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width24 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorth American T-6G
Tail NumberN7197C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · 41-9754 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 22000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 16 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data