On February 2, 1993, a Champion 7ECA (registration N11096) operated by Mccall, Winston R. was involved in an aviation accident near Medford, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The tailwheel assembly was locked in an offset position due to a bottom plate that was assembled incorrectly and was outside of a keyway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a second landing touch-and-go, the airplane veered left, exited the runway, and struck a taxiway sign. Post-accident inspection revealed the tailwheel assembly was locked offset due to an incorrectly assembled bottom plate.
Accident Description
At the end of a local pleasure flight, the pilot reported that the first touch-and-go landing was uneventful. During the second landing, after touchdown, the airplane veered sharply to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder and partial brake, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the side of the runway, and collided with a taxiway sign before coming to rest.
Post-Accident Findings
Following the accident, the tailwheel assembly was found locked in an offset position. During the inspection, it was discovered that a bottom plate was assembled incorrectly and was positioned outside of a keyway.
Probable cause
The tailwheel assembly was locked in an offset position due to a bottom plate that was assembled incorrectly and was outside of a keyway.