What happened
On November 14, 2009, a Curtiss Wright Travel Air 4000, registration N3823, was involved in an accident during a local sightseeing flight at Page Field Airport (FMY) in Fort Myers, Florida. The flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 9 and involving a commercial pilot and two passengers, experienced engine irregularities described by passengers as engine hiccups during the flight.
During the landing phase on runway 5, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces. The pilot touched down, bounced back into the air, and repeated this process before a third touchdown occurred in a nose-high attitude with the tailwheel on the runway. During this period, the aircraft oscillated left and right for approximately 5 to 10 seconds. Following these oscillations, the aircraft veered to the right, the right wing dipped, and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest inverted. The pilot attempted to execute a go-around by applying power, but the engine did not respond as expected. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
FAA inspectors examined the wreckage and found substantial damage to the wing spars, wing struts, and multiple ribs. The landing gear had collapsed, and the wooden propeller was shattered. The investigation found no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions regarding the engine or the flight control system.
Findings
- The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control led to a ground loop.
- The pilot's minimal experience in this specific aircraft make and model contributed to the accident.