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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 8, 2012 · Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR · N721R

Norwalk, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Norwalk, OH
Aircraft
Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR (1942)
Tail Number
N721R
Operator
Roger Parshall
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA369

The pilot reported that, upon touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane's right brake "locked up" and the airplane then veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane struck a 3-foot-wide drainage ditch about 66 feet from the edge of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The examination of the accident site revealed runway skid marks and a wingtip scrape, which indicated that the right wheel was not on the ground until shortly before it contacted the ditch. The right brake successfully passed the acceptance test procedure with no visual indication of fluid leakage around the piston. The pilot had 997 total flight hours with 1 hour logged in the accident airplane. The accident flight was the first flight he had in the airplane, and it was his first landing in the accident airplane. The surface weather observation at an airport located about 18 nautical miles from the accident site indicated the wind was 320 degrees at 9 knots. The airplane landed on the runway at 280 degrees, which indicates that a 6-knot crosswind existed at 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, 2012, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR, N721R, sustained substantial damage when it lost directional control during landing at the Norwalk-Huron County Airport (5A1), Norwalk, Ohio. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by a private individual under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed Geauga County Airport (7G8), Middlefield, Ohio, at 1230. The pilot reported that the tailwheel equipped airplane was landing on runway 28 (4,210 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He reported that the right brake "locked up" upon touchdown causing the airplane to veer off the runway. The airplane struck a 3-foot wide drainage ditch that was about 66 feet from the edge of the runway and ran parallel to the runway, which resulted in sustained substantial damage to the left wing. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the accident site. He reported that the runway skid marks and the wingtip scrape indicated that the right wheel was not on the ground until shortly before contacting the ditch. The inspector reported that the airplane had a very narrow wheel stance and limited forward visibility in the landing attitude. The right brake was tested at the brake manufacturer's facility with FAA oversight. The brake successfully passed the acceptance test procedure, and there was no visual indication of fluid leakage around the piston. The pilot had 997 total flight hours with 1 hour logged in the accident airplane. The accident flight was the first flight he had in the airplane, and it was his first landing in the accident airplane. At 1353, the surface weather observation at the Lorain County Regional Airport (LPR), Lorain, Ohio, located about 18 nautical miles east of 5A1, was: wind 320 degrees at 9 knots; 10 miles visibility; sky clear; temperature 26 degrees Celsius; dew point 7 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.05 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportNorwald-Huron County (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length4210 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRyan Aeronautical ST3KR
Tail NumberN721R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRoger Parshall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRanger · 6-440-C5 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data