Summary
On July 05, 1993, a Cessna 150 (N61058) was involved in an incident near Pittsfield, ME. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: LOSS OF THE TAIL WHEEL STEERING DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASON(S).
On July 5, 1993, about 1630 hours eastern daylight time, N61058, a Cessna 150 with a tail wheel conversion, was substantially damaged after ground looping on landing at the Pittsfield Airport, Maine. The airplane was operated by John M. Miller, Carmel, Maine. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Newport, Maine, about 1600 hours, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
The pilot reported that the accident occurred about one hour of flight time since the airplane's last annual inspection. Prior to the inspection, the pilot stated that the airplane had tailwheel control problems and "tailwheel shimmy"; he had asked that these problems be checked and repaired.
This incident is documented in NTSB report BFO93LA111. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N61058.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
LOSS OF THE TAIL WHEEL STEERING DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASON(S).
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 5, 1993, about 1630 hours eastern daylight time, N61058, a Cessna 150 with a tail wheel conversion, was substantially damaged after ground looping on landing at the Pittsfield Airport, Maine. The airplane was operated by John M. Miller, Carmel, Maine. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Newport, Maine, about 1600 hours, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
The pilot reported that the accident occurred about one hour of flight time since the airplane's last annual inspection. Prior to the inspection, the pilot stated that the airplane had tailwheel control problems and "tailwheel shimmy"; he had asked that these problems be checked and repaired. Following the annual inspection, the pilot departed from his private airstrip in Newburgh, Maine, and performed a landing onto another grass strip at the Newport Skypark, Maine. He then departed from the Newport Skypark and flew to the Pittsfield Airport. This airport has a 4,000 foot paved runway. He reported that after a "normal" approach with no wind, the airplane had a "severe tailwheel vibration and shimmy" after touchdown. The pilot stated that the airplane then veered sharply to the right and he "had no control using the tailwheel." The airplane ground looped and the left main landing gear collapsed.
According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, post impact damage to the tailwheel assembly prevented a reliable determination of the existence of any pre existing mechanical malfunctions.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO93LA111