LNDG PROP STRIKE. XWIND LNDG; FULL RUDDER TO COUNTER WXVANING; HIT OPPOSITE BRAKE CAUSING TAIL TO COME UP HITTING PROP ON RWY.

Date: 1996-05 · Aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer

Anomalies: conflict-ground-conflict|critical|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence|other-unspecified

Synopsis

LNDG PROP STRIKE. XWIND LNDG; FULL RUDDER TO COUNTER WXVANING; HIT OPPOSITE BRAKE CAUSING TAIL TO COME UP HITTING PROP ON RWY.

Narrative

LNDG PROP STRIKE; WINDS ESTIMATED 320 DEGS 15 KTS GUSTING TO 20 KTS WITH TURB BELOW TREE LINE. THIS AIRPLANE HAS NO TAILWHEEL STEERING AND NO TAILWHEEL LOCK AND POOR RUDDER AUTH COMPARED TO NEW ACFT. TOUCHDOWN IN TOUCHDOWN ZONE WITH NO DRIFT AND ON AND PARALLEL TO CTRLINE. COUNTERED WXVANE WITH FULL RUDDER AND LATER HVY R BRAKE. AIRPLANE REMAINED STRAIGHT. I MADE THE MISTAKE OF ADDING L BRAKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO HELP DISSIPATE SPD SOONER TO PUT TAIL ON GND; BUT I WAS TOO HVY; AND THE TAIL CAME UP; EVEN WITH WHEEL BACK; AND STRUCK RWY WITH PROP. THIS AIRPLANE HAS VERY PWRFUL HEEL BRAKES INCORPORATED IN THE SAME PEDALS. FEET ARE IN STIRRUPS AND IT TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO STAY OFF THE BRAKES SINCE YOUR FEET ARE IN A FLATTER ATTITUDE THAN OTHER AIRPLANES. I RELEASED THEM TOO LATE AND I BELIEVE THE L BRAKE WAS THE FINAL STRAW. A BURST OF PWR WOULD HAVE GOT THE TAIL DOWN AGAIN. THERE WAS NO URGENCY TO LAND AND WE HAD 40 GALLONS OF FUEL. I SHOULD HAVE DONE A TOUCH-AND-GO TO ASSESS CONDITIONS OR HAVE BEEN MORE LIBERAL WITH PWR TO BLOW THE TAIL DOWN. I WAS OVERLY CONCERNED WITH KEEPING THE AIRPLANE STRAIGHT. I AM PAYING VERY DEARLY FOR THE REPAIR.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.