LYNCHBURG, VA, USA
N189T
Piper PA-18-105
During landing roll out on Runway 3, a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway, the airplane began to turn to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn with full left rudder, but the airplane did not respond. The pilot then attempted to take-off and applied full throttle, which tightened the right turn. The pilot then reduced power, ground-looped, and exited the runway. During the ground-loop, the left wing tip contacted the ground and bent the rear wing spar. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main wheel axle was bent inward and there was no evidence of corrosion or rust. There was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. The winds at the airport were reported from 310 degrees at 4 knots.
On August 14, 2000, at 1708 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-18-105, N189T, was substantially damaged during landing roll-out at Lynchburg Airport, Lynchburg, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said: "Was doing touch and go's at Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH), was clear VFR day, around 5 pm local time. Was landing on Runway 3. Winds were 360 degrees about 3MPH. Had made 5 previous landings, all normal. On sixth one, I touched down lightly just past the threshold stripes and dead on centerline in wheel landing configuration for a least 100 yards and slowed to about 30 MPH when plane started turning to the right. I applied full left rudder with no results. I still had plenty of asphalt ahead, so I decided to apply full throttle to straighten and fly it off, but throttle only tightened the turn right. So I pulled power and rode out ground loop. Was slow and gentle. Wing touched and plane pivoted on wing and went off runway backwards. Stopping on soft edge berm." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed and on-scene examination on August 15, 2000. In a written statement, the inspector said: "Left main wheel axle bent to the right from apparent side load. Aircraft made uncommanded turn. Due to sharpness of turn, the left wing tip touched the ground. Left wing rear spar was bent up." The inspector also reported that the area surrounding the axle did not appear rusted or corroded. Runway 3 was a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway. The winds at LYH were reported from 310 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported 352 total flight hours, of which 98 hours were make and model.
Pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll-out.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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