CHAMBLEE, GA, USA
N7357D
Piper PA-22-150
During landing, as the tail wheel touched down, the aircraft began to drift to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and then right wheel brake in an attempt to correct the drift. The aircraft then ground looped to the right and the left wing contacted the runway. Postcrash examination of the left wheel brake and tail wheel steering showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction.
On October 25, 1998, about 1110 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N7357D, registered to an individual, ground looped and struck the left wing on the runway, during landing at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, Chamblee, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Gainesville, Georgia, the same day, about 1040. The pilot stated that during landing roll, as the tailwheel touched down, the aircraft began to veer to the left. He applied right rudder and then right wheel brake to control the left drift and the aircraft then ground looped to the right. As the aircraft ground looped, the left wing contacted the runway. After the accident, examination of the aircraft's left wheel brake and tailwheel by an aircraft mechanic showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. (See attached letters) The aircraft was reported to have received minor damage when FAA inspectors spoke with the pilot after the accident. As repairs were being made to the aircraft, the left wing spars were found to be bent. This damage was reported to FAA and NTSB on December 17, 1998.
The pilot's excessive use of right wheel brake to correct for a left drift during landing rollout resulting in a ground loop to the right and the left wing contacting the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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