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June 8, 2009 · Yakovlev/Day YAK-11 · N7YK

Culpeper, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Culpeper, VA
Aircraft
Yakovlev/Day YAK-11
Tail Number
N7YK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09LA330

According to the pilot, during the landing roll in the experimental tailwheel airplane, the airplane drifted to the right slowly into a grassy area and struck a drainage ditch. The pilot stated that he applied left brake to correct for the drift, but was unsuccessful. After the accident, the airplane was placed on jacks to allow the left main wheel assembly to be rotated. The right brake line was capped off and the brake system was serviced. Once the preparation was complete, the left wheel was rotated by hand. When pressure was applied to the left brake pedal, the left wheel stopped rotating. Additional pressure was applied in an attempt to move the left wheel, with no success. The left brake functioned properly during the test and no other preimpact anomalies were noted. The winds were recorded as calm about the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2009, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Yakovlev/Day YAK-11 experimental airplane, N7YK, departed the right side of runway 4 during landing roll, and struck a concrete drainage ditch at the Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Culpeper, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was operated as a maintenance test flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from CJR about 0945. According to the pilot, the airplane had been in maintenance for about 1 year and he was conducting a maintenance test flight. He stated that the brakes had been changed as well as the airspeed indicator. The takeoff and test flight were normal, "until the airspeed indicator stopped working." He discontinued the test flight and returned to CJR for landing. The airplane landed on runway 4, a 5,000-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the landing roll, the airplane drifted slowly right into a grassy area and struck a drainage ditch. The pilot stated that he applied left brake to correct for the drift, but was successful. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the right main gear separated and substantial damage to the right wing and fuel tank. The airplane was placed on jacks to allow the left main wheel assembly to be rotated. The right brake line was capped off and the brake system was serviced. Once the preparation was complete, the left wheel was rotated by hand. When pressure was applied to the left brake pedal, the left wheel stopped rotating. Additional pressure was applied in an attempt to move the wheel with no success. The winds were recorded as calm about the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportCulpeper Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway04
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftYakovlev/Day YAK-11
Tail NumberN7YK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAllison · V1710 · Reciprocating · 1425
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time14:02
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data