Event Description
According to the pilot's account, the landing was a three-point touchdown. Immediately after touching down, he experienced severe shaking or vibration from the tailwheel area, and the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied right rudder and right brake in an attempt to correct the deviation, but the airplane continued left and departed the runway at low speed. The airplane then struck VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator) lights, resulting in damage to the right side aft fuselage and the elevator.
Witnesses at nearby hangars reported hearing the vibration and observing the tailwheel oscillating from side to side after what they described as a very smooth touchdown.
Findings
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the damaged airplane and identified two discrepancies: the right brake cylinder was leaking, and the tailwheel casting was loose at its attachment point with the tailwheel leaf spring.