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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 23, 2008 · Champion 7KCAB · N1682G

Alexander City, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Alexander City, AL
Aircraft
Champion 7KCAB
Tail Number
N1682G
Operator
James V Hamilton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA08CA095

The pilot stated that he was conducting a personal flight with the owner of the airplane. The owner did not have any flight time in make and model. The airplane had a pre-buy inspection conducted two days before the accident and no anomalies were noted. The pilot conducted a preflight inspection before the flight and no anomalies were noted. The pilot and the owner departed on runway 36 and remained in a left closed traffic pattern. The pilot made a three-point landing in the first 1,000 feet of the runway, and was on the landing roll out, when the tailwheel started to shimmy. He applied forward pressure on the control stick and raised the tailwheel off the runway. The shimmy ceased and the pilot applied aft pressure on the control stick and lowered the tail wheel onto the runway. The airplane immediately veered to the right. The pilot applied left brake and rudder, but the airplane continued to the right off the right side of the runway and collided with a ditch. The right main landing gear separated and the right wing received structural damage. Examination of the airplane revealed the right spring on the tailwheel control had separated from the rudder and the tailwheel attachment. The tailwheel spring was located about 20 feet off the right side of the runway and there was no visible damage to the tailwheel spring or the upper and lower attachments points. The previous owner stated that he informed the new owner of the tendency for the tailwheel to shimmy during the three-point landings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The separation of the right tail wheel spring on landing roll out for undetermined reasons, resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with a ditch.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated he was conducting a personal flight with the owner of the airplane. The owner did not have any flight time in make and model. The airplane had a pre-buy inspection conducted two days before the accident and no anomalies were noted. The pilot conducted a preflight inspection before the flight and no anomalies were noted. The pilot and the owner departed on runway 36 and remained in a left closed traffic pattern. The pilot made a three-point landing in the first 1,000 feet of the runway, and was on landing roll out, when the tail wheel started to shimmy. He applied forward pressure on the control stick and raised the tail wheel off the runway. The shimmy ceased and the pilot applied aft pressure on the control stick and lowered the tail wheel onto the runway. The airplane immediately veered to the right. The pilot applied left brake and rudder, but the airplane continued to the right off the right side of the runway and collided with a ditch. The right main landing gear separated and the right wing received structural damage. Examination of the airplane revealed the right spring on the tail wheel control had separated from the rudder and the tail wheel attachment. The tail wheel spring was located about 20 feet off the right side of the runway and there was no visible damage to the tail wheel spring or the upper and lower attachments points. The previous owner stated that he informed the new owner of the tendency for the tail wheel to shimmy during three-point landings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest AirportThomas C. Russell Field (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length5425 ft
Runway Width96 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7KCAB
Tail NumberN1682G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames V Hamilton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data