Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll which resulted in the subsequent ground loop/swerve and impact with the ditch.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On September 7, 2003, at 1015 mountain daylight time, a Waco YMF-5, N455RT, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a go-around at Taos Regional Airport (SKX), Taos, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for this personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Santa Fe, New Mexico, at approximately 1000.
According to the pilot, after completing a "wheel landing" on runway 04, the airplane began to "fishtail." As he applied rudder control, the airplane's right wing dipped and the right main landing gear departed the right side of the runway. When he applied go-around power, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and struck a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main landing gear, right wing, and the firewall.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN03LA151