History of Flight
On August 18, 2009, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, registration N7556H, was substantially damaged following a runway excursion after landing on runway 26 at South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY) in Mount Holly, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and non-pilot rated passenger were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions; no flight plan was filed.
The pilot departed VAY about 1400 for a local flight and reported a completely normal flight before returning to the airport. On the final leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noted that the wind had increased and decided to perform a wheel landing to a full stop. The pilot touched down on the upwind wheel and heard a squealing sound similar to a skidding tire. As the tailwheel was lowered, the airplane became squirrelly and began veering left. Despite applying full left rudder and brake, the airplane continued toward the left edge of the runway, departed into the grass, and ground-looped.
In a written statement, the pilot stated that the passenger had his foot on the left brake pedal during the landing. The pilot had briefed the passenger about the heel brake system before the flight because the passenger was not familiar with it. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the scene reported that the passenger stated his hands and feet were clear of all flight controls during the landing.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings, a flight instructor certificate with single-engine and instrument ratings, a ground instructor certificate, and a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. The most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in July 2009. The pilot reported approximately 4,600 hours total flight experience and about 155 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1946. The most recent annual inspection was completed on October 1, 2008, at which time the airframe had accumulated 3,900 total hours in service.
Meteorological Information
The VAY 1454 automated weather observation recorded variable direction winds at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and few clouds at 4,200 feet.
Airport Information
South Jersey Regional Airport had a single asphalt runway measuring 3,911 feet by 50 feet. The runway was reported dry at the time of the accident. The airport was not equipped with an air traffic control tower.
Wreckage and Impact Information
According to the FAA inspector, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and fuselage.
Additional Findings
The FAA inspector reported that examination of the tailwheel assembly revealed the centering mechanism was weak and could be easily moved out of the centered position. The right main landing gear brake line was fracture-separated from the airframe. Mechanical linkages that remained attached to the landing gear could be moved freely with light pressure. The brake calipers and disc appeared mechanically sound, but no functional tests were performed on the right brake. All left brake components were visually inspected and found normal; a functional check of the left wheel brake system was conducted and functioned satisfactorily, but the method of the check was not specified. Wheel bearings were not inspected, and no report was made regarding whether the wheel was free to rotate.