ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 198922
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| Date: | Thursday 25 September 2014 |
| Time: | 08:30 |
| Type: |  Pitts S-1S |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N93DB |
| MSN: | PITTS S1SS-3 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2013 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 53 hours |
| Engine model: | Superior XP-IO-360-E1D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Sedona, AZ -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Sedona, AZ (SEZ) |
| Sedona, AZ (SEZ) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot/builder of the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane had just completed a flight as part of phase one flight testing. He reported an uneventful approach to landing, with the main landing gear touching down first. However, as soon as the tailwheel made contact with the runway, the airplane yawed violently to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and brake control input, but the airplane did not respond, and departed the runway descending down an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper wing spar and fuselage structure at the landing gear attach points.
Postaccident examination revealed that the tailwheel was locked 90 degrees to the right. The tailwheel assembly was disassembled, and the steering arm cam spring appeared jammed between the shaft and housing. The inner surface of the housing exhibited scoring marks, consistent with a pre-existing failure of the spring. The pilot reported that he had purchased the tailwheel assembly used, and that he did not have any records indicating its manufacturer or serial number.
Probable Cause: Failure of the tailwheel steering assembly during maneuvering flight, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 19-Aug-2017 16:03 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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