No fatalities

Tailwheel Biplane Ground Loops After Landing Gear Collapse During Training Flight

Centerville, TN, United States

On August 18, 2017, a BOEING E75 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Centerville, TN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a training landing roll, a tailwheel biplane experienced a sudden left movement, then a loss of control leading to a ground loop. The left main landing gear collapsed, causing substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

Accident Sequence

The pilot, who was receiving instruction, reported that during the landing roll prior to stopping, the tailwheel-equipped biplane "made a sudden move to [the] left." He added that quick reactions by the flight instructor kept the biplane on the runway and going straight. Once again under the pilot's control, the biplane then "dropped the left wing and despite corrective inputs on the controls would not respond to further control inputs" and ground looped to the right. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the biplane came to rest nose down on the runway.

Damage

The biplane sustained substantial damage to all four wings and the fuselage.

Pilot's Statement

The pilot reported that "it was [his] personal contention and belief that the upper left gear failed[,] resulting in substantial damage to the [biplane] and the resultant ground loop." He added that "[he] did not believe that this particular incident could have been prevented."

Video Evidence

A review of a video of the accident that was submitted showed, in part, a loss of control early in the landing roll, followed by a subsequent loss of control and ground loop to the right.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Aug 2017 BOEING E75 UNDESIGNAT accident near Centerville, TN?

During a training landing roll, a tailwheel biplane experienced a sudden left movement, then a loss of control leading to a ground loop. The left main landing gear collapsed, causing substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Aug 2017 BOEING E75 UNDESIGNAT accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Aug 2017 involved a BOEING E75 UNDESIGNAT, at Centerville, TN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.