AERONCA 7CCM near Rochester, NH — 2010-12-11

Probable cause

The out-of-rig condition of the tailwheel lock, which resulted in a loss of directional control on landing.

NTSB narrative

During the first three landings, with the student pilot at the controls, the airplane veered to the left upon touchdown. On the fourth landing, the airplane veered left again, and then the tailwheel momentarily lifted off the runway. When the tailwheel came back down, the airplane pulled hard to the left, but the flight instructor regained some directional control. The airplane departed the runway surface and struck the surface-mounted precision approach path indicator, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. A postaccident inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the tailwheel unlocked easily when shaken manually.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Loss of control

First missed decision gate

Instructor could have taken control earlier to prevent loss of directional control.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Correspondence with FAA Inspectorother

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