What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-11-24 involved a Champion 7FC, registration N9899B, at Fredericksburg, TX.

Airplane Noses Over After Exiting Runway During Landing Roll (N9899B)

On November 24, 1995, a Champion 7FC (registration N9899B) was involved in an aviation accident near Fredericksburg, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the binding tailwheel and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

During landing roll, a tailwheel airplane veered left, exited the runway onto newly plowed dirt, and nosed over. The pilot applied full right rudder and right heel brake. An examination found the tailwheel required excessive pressure to swivel from center. The pilot cited inexperience.

Accident Details

During the landing roll, the airplane began a slow left turn. The pilot corrected with full right rudder. When the airplane did not respond, he applied the right heel brake. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway, encountered newly plowed dirt, and nosed over.

Mechanical Examination

An aircraft mechanic examined the airplane and reported that when right rudder was applied, the tailwheel did not swivel freely. It required "a lot of pressure" to break it loose from the centered position.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that his inexperience prevented him from realizing the tailwheel steering on the airplane was not working properly. He further stated that he should have used the brakes sooner.

Pilot Experience

The pilot had a total of 17 hours flight time in tailwheel airplanes, all of which were in the accident airplane.

1995-11-24: Champion 7FC (N9899B) — Fredericksburg, TX