PIPER PA-22-150 near Talkeetna, AK — 2009-05-15

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported he was landing his tailwheel airplane on a hard-surfaced dry runway, which required a correction for a 5-knot right crosswind. During the landing roll, the airplane’s tailwheel began to shimmy, and the pilot applied a slight amount of forward elevator to stop the shimmy. He said that the airplane then swerved to the left, and went off the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently ground-looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed, striking the right wing on the gravel-covered shoulder of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot indicated that there were no pre-accident mechanical problems with the airplane, other than the tailwheel shimmy. On May 29, under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the tailwheel was disassembled and inspected, and no pre-accident mechanical anomalies were discovered.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

Evidence available

• 1 docket document

Docket documents1

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form

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