Goodland, KS, USA
NC662Y
WACO ASO
The airplane was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway during landing. The pilot reported that when the tailwheel touched down, the airplane started to shake and bang and turn left. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and the right lower wing contacted a dirt mound breaking the wing spars. A postaccident teardown of the tailwheel assembly by the manufacturer determined that the tailwheel was not assembled according to the manufacturer's specifications. The teardown inspection determined that the tailwheel "would not function properly because it was incorrectly assembled."
On June 2, 2002, at 1330 central daylight time, a Waco ASO, NC662Y, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged during landing when it veered off runway 23 (3,501 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the Renner Field-Goodland Municipal Airport (GLD), Goodland, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from the Pratt Industrial Airport, Pratt, Kansas at 1015 and was en route to GLD. The pilot stated in a written statement, "At tailwheel touchdown aircraft immediately began shaking, banging, and turning to the left. As aircraft slowed the left turning force could not be stopped, even with full right rudder and brake. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, still turning left. The right lower wing struck a small mound along the side of the runway breaking the spruce wing spars." The pilot made multiple landings without incident on the same day prior to the accident. The pilot reported a total time in the accident airplane make and model of 14 hours. A postaccident teardown of the tailwheel assembly by the manufacturer determined that the tailwheel was not assembled according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The teardown inspection determined that the tailwheel “would not function properly because it was incorrectly assembled.”
Failure of the tailwheel assembly after touchdown that resulted in loss of airplane directional control, which the pilot could not correct. A contributing factor was the improper assembly of the tailwheel.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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