Summary
On March 19, 2013, a Boeing B75N1 (N47964) was involved in an incident near Mesa, AZ. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
The pilot reported that after touchdown, the tail wheel equipped airplane tracked left of runway center as it decelerated. He applied corrective actions; however, the airplane continued to track left and subsequently departed the runway edge. The right wing made contact with the ground during the runway excursion, and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the tail wheel strut did not compress on landing until after right rudder was applied. During the recently completed 100-hour annual inspection the tail wheel suspension strut was modified to incorporate a cylinder/oil type strut. A review of the tail wheel strut revealed that the strut only affects the vertical movement of the tail wheel, and has no lateral control effects.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA162. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N47964.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that after touchdown, the tail wheel equipped airplane tracked left of runway center as it decelerated. He applied corrective actions; however, the airplane continued to track left and subsequently departed the runway edge. The right wing made contact with the ground during the runway excursion, and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the tail wheel strut did not compress on landing until after right rudder was applied. During the recently completed 100-hour annual inspection the tail wheel suspension strut was modified to incorporate a cylinder/oil type strut. A review of the tail wheel strut revealed that the strut only affects the vertical movement of the tail wheel, and has no lateral control effects. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA162