On September 3, 1985, an Aeronca 7AC (registration N84046) operated by Joseph J. Wisnewski,jr. was involved in an aviation accident near New Smyrna Bch, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Improper adjustment and installation of the tailwheel steering entering assembly, which locked the wheel and caused a swerving moment upon touchdown. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A taildragger aircraft swerved left upon touchdown due to a locked tailwheel, leaving the runway and colliding with an embankment that sheared the right main landing gear.
What happened
During the landing phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden deviation from its intended path. As the tailwheel made contact with the runway surface, the aircraft swerved sharply to the left. This uncommanded turn caused the aircraft to exit the paved runway environment and strike an adjacent embankment. The impact forces were significant enough to shear off the right main landing gear assembly.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the airframe was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the excursion. Inspectors focused on the tailwheel steering entering assembly, which is critical for directional control during ground operations. The examination revealed that this component had been improperly adjusted and installed prior to the flight.
Findings
The improper installation of the tailwheel steering mechanism resulted in the tailwheel being locked in a fixed position. When the tailwheel contacted the runway, this lock produced a swerving moment that the pilot could not counteract. The sequence of events was driven by mechanical failure of the tailwheel steering assembly, leading to the loss of directional control and subsequent collision with terrain.
Probable cause
Improper adjustment and installation of the tailwheel steering entering assembly, which locked the wheel and caused a swerving moment upon touchdown.