Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left

Location: Rowlesburg, West Virginia Accident Number: ERA25LA015
Date & Time: October 11, 2024, 18:40 Local Registration: N79HY
Aircraft: Aviat A1 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg and turned onto the base and final legs for runway 31 with wind from 260° at 5 knots. A witness observed and the pilot reported a normal landing, with the airplane touching down an estimated 300 to 400 ft down the runway. The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, the airplane bounced about 3 ft then touched back down and then, with no brakes applied, the airplane began veering to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder and right brake but the veer to the left continued and the airplane impacted trees on the left side of the runway. The pilot informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector that he had not noticed any tendencies for the airplane to pull left during landings on previous flights.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. A check of the flight controls revealed they appeared to be intact and functioning properly. A check of the brakes was performed with no discrepancies noted. A detailed examination of the tail wheel assembly, which was installed in accordance
with a supplemental type certificate, revealed it was installed in accordance with the installation requirements, with proper left and right steering springs installed and tensioned. A discrepancy with the tailwheel leaf spring not being centered was noted, but the airplane manufacturer representative reported to the FAA inspector that condition would have negligible effect on taxi operations.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in the onground collision with trees.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov