WACO YPF-7
Houston, TX, March 27, 2010
Event Information
| Date | March 27, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Houston, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 29.50361, -95.47278 |
| Airport | Houston Southwest Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | CEN10CA213 |
| Event ID | 20100421X24047 |
Aircraft
| Make | WACO |
| Model | YPF-7 |
| Registration # | N32077 |
| Operator | MEMORIAL AVIATION INC |
| Owner | MEMORIAL AVIATION INC |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inability to maintain control during landing due to the failure of the tailwheel locking mechanism to remain engaged prior to landing.
Full Narrative
The commercial pilot stated that he locked the tailwheel on his single-engine airplane prior to departure. After takeoff, he stayed in the traffic pattern and landed. However, during the landing roll out, the airplane ground looped and the airplane's lower right wing contacted the ground and broke the wood spar. The pilot stated that on examining the airplane after the accident, that either hardened grease and dirt build up may have prevented the tail wheel locking mechanism from fully engaging or that the mechanism may have been inadvertently bumped in flight.
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.