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August 2, 2018 · Gerald Dan Coppock Bade-E · N142NV

Escanaba, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Escanaba, MI
Aircraft
Gerald Dan Coppock Bade-E (2014)
Tail Number
N142NV
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA307

The pilot was landing the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry runway. During the rollout, the airplane veered to the left when the tailwheel was lowered to the runway. Both wingtips contacted the runway surface; the airplane ground looped and exited the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the forward section of the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right steering cable chain was broken and hanging from the tailwheel. It could not be determined if the cable broke before or during the accident sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of control during the landing rollout for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion.

Full Narrative

On August 02, 2018, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Gerald Dan Coppock BABE-E homebuilt experimental airplane, N142NV, registered to the pilot/builder, sustained substantial damage during a runway excursion following a loss of directional control while landing at the Delta County Airport (ESC), Escanaba, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from ESC about 1830. According to the pilot, he was landing on runway 01 at ESC and the airplane touched down normally. During the rollout, the airplane veered to the left once the tailwheel contacted the runway. Both wingtips contacted the runway surface and the airplane ground-looped. The forward section of the fuselage was buckled upward and substantially damaged. The airplane came to rest, nose down and the pilot exited the airplane. According to ESC METAR weather, reported winds about the time of the accident were 330 at 5 knots. Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right steering cable chain was broken and hanging from the tailwheel. It could not be determined if the cable break was caused prior to or during the accident sequence. NTSB Form 6120 was not received from the pilot for additional information.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportDelta County Airport (0nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length5016 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGerald Dan Coppock Bade-E
Tail NumberN142NV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A80 · Reciprocating · 80
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data