On April 26, 1990, a Cessna 120 (registration N72576) operated by James R. Ohlin was involved in an aviation accident near Phoenix, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's delayed application of full power during a touch-and-go landing, which occurred after the tailwheel became erratic and rudder control diminished. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing touch-and-go landings experienced erratic tailwheel movement and diminished rudder control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop after delayed power application.
What happened
The pilot was conducting practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 07. Environmental conditions at the time included winds from the north with a speed of less than 5 knots. During the landing roll following the first landing, the aircraft's tailwheel began to behave erratically. As the airplane continued to slow down, the pilot noticed that rudder control effectiveness was diminishing. The pilot delayed applying full power to initiate the go-around. When power was finally applied, the aircraft ground looped.
The investigation
The source text does not provide specific details regarding mechanical examination or post-accident findings beyond the operational narrative described above.
Findings
Contributing factors included the erratic behavior of the tailwheel during the landing roll and the resulting diminishment of rudder control as airspeed decreased. Additionally, the pilot's delay in applying full power contributed to the loss of directional control.
Probable cause
The pilot's delayed application of full power during a touch-and-go landing, which occurred after the tailwheel became erratic and rudder control diminished.