On March 22, 1987, a Champion 7FC (registration N90398) operated by Kauffman,w.w. was involved in an aviation accident near Bellefontaine, OH. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot on their first solo in a tail wheel aircraft bounced on landing, yawed right, ran off runway 04, and struck a tree. The pilot had no formal instruction in tail wheel aircraft.
Incident Details
A tail wheel equipped aircraft experienced a ground excursion and collision with a tree during landing on runway 04. The wind was from the east at eight knots. According to the pilot, the aircraft bounced upon touchdown, then touched down again and yawed to the right. Subsequently, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and collided with a tree.
Pilot Background
The flight was the pilot's first solo in a tail wheel equipped aircraft. The pilot had not obtained any formal instruction in tail wheel aircraft operation, but had flown with a friend in such an aircraft prior to the flight.
Recommendations
To prevent similar accidents, the pilot recommended obtaining additional training in tail wheel aircraft.