CURTISS WRIGHT Travel Air
Carlsbad, CA — November 14, 2015
Event Information
| Date | November 14, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA16CA049 |
| Event ID | 20151116X65940 |
| Location | Carlsbad, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.12833, -117.28000 |
| Airport | MC CLELLAN-PALOMAR |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CURTISS WRIGHT |
| Model | Travel Air |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground-loop, and substantial damage to the right wing and wing strut.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane, during the fourth landing roll of the day, the airplane "fish tailed" to the right and he was not able to maintain directional control. The airplane ground looped to the left on the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed and the lower right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing and wing strut.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.