Pilot Debrief

DOUGLAS DC-3C near Skwentna, AK — 2009-07-07

Final reportANC09LA064
Sign in to save
Date
2009-07-07
Location
Skwentna, AK, USA
Aircraft
DOUGLAS DC-3C
Registration
N777YA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

A fracture of the airplane's tailwheel shock absorber linkage during taxi, resulting in the collapse of the tailwheel.

NTSB narrative

The crew of a tailwheel-equipped airplane landed on a gravel-covered, off-airport site at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 cargo flight. The captain said that while taxiing to parking after an uneventful landing, he and the other pilot heard a loud “thump”, and he stopped the airplane. The crew’s inspection revealed that the airplane’s tailwheel had collapsed, and as a result, the fuselage adjacent to the tailwheel sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed a fractured shock absorber linkage, which was part of the tailwheel swivel assembly.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspecting the tailwheel before taxiing could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps