On March 23, 1985, a North American AT-6G (registration N9035Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Frederick, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot attributed the loss of control to an improperly seated tailwheel locking pin. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a touch-and-go landing rollout, a passenger heard a loud mechanical noise from the tail. The pilot lost directional control, the aircraft ground looped, collapsing the main landing gear and substantially damaging the wings. The pilot attributed the loss of control to an improperly seated tailwheel locking pin.
Sequence of Events
The incident began during the rollout phase of a touch-and-go landing. A passenger on the aircraft reported hearing a loud mechanical noise coming from the tail section. This noise was immediately followed by the pilot's inability to maintain directional control. The aircraft then entered a ground loop, during which the main landing gear collapsed under the stress. The wings sustained substantial damage as a result of the ground loop.
Post-Incident Findings
After the aircraft came to a stop, examination of the runway surface revealed chevron-shaped skid marks that were left by the tail wheel. These marks indicate the path of the tail wheel during the loss of control. The pilot, in their report, attributed the loss of directional control to a tailwheel locking pin that was not properly seated.
Probable cause
The pilot attributed the loss of control to an improperly seated tailwheel locking pin.
