Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: San Antonio, TX
Accident Number: CEN20CA176
Date & Time: 05/08/2020, 1055 CDT
Registration: N3238G
Aircraft: North American SNJ
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Accident Number: CEN20CA176
Date & Time: 05/08/2020, 1055 CDT
Registration: N3238G
Aircraft: North American SNJ
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that he had just completed a landing in a tailwheel equipped airplane, and he noticed the wind began to shift. He then elected to conduct another wheel landing. The pilot stated he landed on runway 17, on centerline, and that as he lowered the tail, the airplane experienced a strong pull to the right. He was unable to keep the airplane from departing the runway and as he reduced the throttle, the airplane entered a ground loop.
The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed, and the wing and propeller struck the ground. Substantial damage was noted to the right wing. A review of the weather conditions about the time of the accident noted wind at 330° at 3 kts, and 20 minutes later, the wind was reported as 360° at 11 kts with gusts to 17 kts.
The accident is consistent with the pilot's loss of control during landing.
The pilot reported that he had just completed a landing in a tailwheel equipped airplane, and he noticed the wind began to shift. He then elected to conduct another wheel landing. The pilot stated he landed on runway 17, on centerline, and that as he lowered the tail, the airplane experienced a strong pull to the right. He was unable to keep the airplane from departing the runway and as he reduced the throttle, the airplane entered a ground loop.
The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed, and the wing and propeller struck the ground. Substantial damage was noted to the right wing. A review of the weather conditions about the time of the accident noted wind at 330° at 3 kts, and 20 minutes later, the wind was reported as 360° at 11 kts with gusts to 17 kts.
The accident is consistent with the pilot's loss of control during landing.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's loss of directional control while landing a tailwheel airplane in gusty wind conditions.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues (general) - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial
Age: 46
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/24/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/22/2019
Flight Time: 4296 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25 hours (Total, this make and model), 5296 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 142 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 63 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N3238G
Model/Series: SNJ 6
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 112348
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tailwheel
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:
Airframe Total Time: 706.1 Hours
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: Adams Terry D
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: K5C1
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1615 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3700 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 17 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 360°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: San Antonio, TX (5C1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: San Antonio, TX (5C1)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: CDT
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Boerne Stage Field Airport (5C1)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1384 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach:None
Runway Length/Width: 5006 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 29.723333, -98.694444 (est)
taildraggers... "the greatest liability of this landing gear layout is its handling characteristics. This design is inherently unstable because the plane's center of gravity is located behind the two main gear. If the plane is landing and one wheel touches down first, the plane has a tendency to veer off in the direction of that wheel. This behavior can cause the aircraft to turn in an increasingly tighter "ground loop" that may eventually result in scraping a wingtip on the ground, collapsing the gear, or veering off the runway. Landing a taildragger can be difficult since the pilot must line up his approach very carefully while making constant rudder adjustments to keep the plane on a straight path until it comes to a stop. Many taildragger designs alleviate these handling problems by fitting a tailwheel that can be locked instead of swiveling on a castor. Locking the tailwheel helps keep the plane rolling in a straight line during landing."
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