# Accident 20110824020259A: Payne/Foster GLASAIR, Ocala, FL, August 24, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 24, 2011, 18:13 local time
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.1697° N, 82.2211° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1697&lon=-82.2211&mi=10
- Aircraft: N250CH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N250CH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Payne/Foster GLASAIR (registry code 05655PB, https://openairdocs.org/model/payne-foster-glasair) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PAYNE/FOSTER GLASAIR
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,550 total, 3 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA11CA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA471) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110824020259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING LANDING ROLLOUT ON RUNWAY 18 AT OCALA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AIRCRAFT GROUND-LOOPED TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY.  RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUG INTO THE GRASS AT THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY PAVEMENT, CAUSING EXCESSIVE SIDELOAD ON THE GEAR STRUCTURE.  SUCH EXCESSIVE SIDELOAD CAUSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TO BREAK AWAY FROM ITS ATTACH POINTS WITHIN THE AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME.  POST ACCIDENT ONSITE INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND BRAKES OPERATED PROPERLY.  HOWEVER, THE TAILWHEEL LOCK OF THE FREE-CASTERING TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILED TO  KEEP THE TAILWHEEL POSITIVELY ENGAGED IN THE LOCKED POSITION.  SUCH FAILURE OF THE TAILWHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM ACCOMPANIED WITH A DIRECT CROSSWIND OF 6 KNOTS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLLOUT, THUS RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA11CA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA471), Aug 24, 2011: Payne/Foster Glasair (N250CH), Ocala, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the tailwheel locking mechanism to remain engaged while landing in a crosswind, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.

## Other reports on N250CH (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20100909049789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100909049789I), Sep 9, 2010: Payne/Foste GLASAIR (N250CH), Moyck, NC, Minor damage. Aircraft arrived at the Blackwater Airstrip (NC61) at 1915 EST for landing. Pilot made a normal approach to landing with full flaps at 75 mph. Aircraft touched…
- [Accident 19940619015429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940619015429A), Jun 19, 1994: Amtr GLASAIR (N250CH), Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway alignment in crosswind. Dragged wing. Floated. Struck two parked planes. Blamed 100 degree heat.
- [Incident 19870617062139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870617062139I), Jun 17, 1987: Amtr GLASAIR (N250CH), Ft Leonard Wood, MO. Landed on aaf runway in error. Men and equipment on the runway. Intended airport 30 miles nne. Medical expired.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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