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Tailwheel airplane challenges pilot

By NTSB · August 18, 2011 ·

This August 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Aeronca 7AC. Injuries: None. Location: Finleyville, Pa. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a 2,505-foot asphalt runway. He reported the landing was normal, a speed of approximately 60 mph, but the airplane went off the left side of the runway. It hit a hangar located approximately 200 feet from the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. There were no skid marks or evidence of braking from the runway to the point of impact at the hangar.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

For more information: NTSB.gov NTSB Identification: ERA09CA465

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Mark C says

    August 19, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    “There were no skid marks or evidence of braking”. It was a CHAMP. He could have been standing on the brakes and there would be no skid marks.

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