Accident Summary
On June 26, 2010, at 1545 eastern daylight time, a Boeing A75N1 (PT17), registration N469RH, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the right side of runway 21 and nosed over during landing at Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), Indianapolis, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight without a flight plan. The pilot and the passenger were uninjured. The flight originated from Sheridan Airport (5I4), Sheridan, Indiana, about 1535 and was destined for EYE.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 80, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument ratings, as well as a flight instructor certificate with single and multiengine land ratings. According to the pilot, he had departed EYE earlier to attend an air show at 5I4. He reported a smooth landing at 5I4, set the parking brake, and ramp personnel placed chocks. He was asked twice if the parking brake was set, to which he affirmed. After the air show, he and the son of a family friend taxied, performed a 180-degree turn on a grass runway, and departed. After about 10 minutes of flight, the pilot landed on runway 21 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He stated that as the airplane touched down, it veered to the right and he believed the brakes became hot. He noted this was his first ground loop.
Aircraft Information
The airplane, a 1941 Boeing A75N1 (PT17), serial number 75-2252, was purchased by the pilot in 1971. The pilot reported the engine was a 300-horsepower Lycoming R680-9, serial number 5677. However, the aircraft type certificate specifies a 220-horsepower Continental W-670-6A or -6N engine for PT-17/-17A airplanes. The FAA airworthiness database showed no record of installation or approval for the Lycoming engine. The aircraft logbooks, reviewed by the FAA, contained no entry for the installation of wheel brakes, which were described as relatively new. The pilot stated the brakes were installed two to three years prior by an airframe and powerplant mechanic; FAA records indicated that mechanic had not renewed his inspection authorization since March 1999. The airframe logbook had a signed annual inspection dated August 13, 2008, with no subsequent logbook entry for an airframe inspection. The engine and propeller logbooks contained annual inspection entries dated September 1, 2009.
Runway Examination
Postaccident examination of runway 21 revealed a 75-yard skid mark consistent with the left main landing gear tire. The skid mark curved off the east side of the runway into the turf and continued for approximately 24 yards to where the airplane rested in a nosed-over attitude. One propeller blade was embedded about 10 inches into the turf. The front and rear lower wing spars were broken, and the wing tip sustained damage. The rear wing strut connecting the upper and lower wings was broken about 2 feet from its mounting bracket on the lower wing. The left main landing gear tire was flat and displaced from the wheel rim. The right main landing gear tire showed only scuff marks perpendicular to the direction of wheel rotation. No marks were found on the runway consistent with the right main landing wheel.
The left main landing gear tire was placed back onto its rim and inflated so the airplane could be towed to the pilot's hangar, approximately half a mile from the accident site. The tow was performed without any restriction to the rotation of the main landing gear wheels.
Maintenance and Equipment Deficiencies
When the FAA asked if the airplane had a tailwheel lock, the pilot stated it did not and that the tailwheel swings only 15 degrees. Inspection revealed the tailwheel could swing 260 degrees and was not equipped with a locking or steerable tailwheel as required by the airplane's design. Additionally, the airplane lacked an operational parking brake system; only the control cables as required by design were installed.
Previous Incidents
On June 5, 1979, the pilot was involved in an accident while piloting the same airplane near Indianapolis (NTSB Identification CHI79FEX28). According to FAA records, the pilot was involved in two other incidents at EYE: on May 26, 2004, during a landing on runway 3, after the pilot waved to a second pilot to perform the landing, the second pilot shouted to get off the brakes, and the airplane flipped over at midfield. On August 13, 2006, again on runway 3 at EYE, the pilot transferred control to a second pilot after landing; that pilot then ground-looped the airplane about midfield, resulting in the airplane coming to rest inverted.