N7197C

On November 17, 2002, about 1030 mountain standard time, a North American T-6G, N7197C, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at Kelly Airpark, Elbert, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Elbert about 1015.

The purpose of the flight was to take young children on their first airplane ride under the "Young Eagles" program. The pilot said that after a short flight, he made a normal three-point landing on runway 17, touching down at 75 to 80 mph. The wind was from 220 degrees at 14 knots. He used left rudder and tail wheel steering to keep the airplane from weathervaning into the wind. About 1,000 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered sharply to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite braking, but to no avail. The airplane went off the 36 foot wide runway about 40 mph onto soft ground and nosed over.

According to the pilot, when the airplane was retrieved, it was noted that the cable between the left rudder pedal pulley and the tail wheel was broken.

Airplane damage consisted of a crushed vertical stabilizer and rudder, left wing leading edge and tip, canopy, spinner and cowling, and a bent propeller. The engine, engine mounts, and firewall were also damaged.