# Accident 20231226019379A: Tuttle Bruce C TUTTLE-GLASAIR, Prescott, AZ, December 26, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 26, 2023, 12:25 local time
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Airport: Ernest Love
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.6548° N, 112.4192° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6548&lon=-112.4192&mi=10
- Aircraft: N29TT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29TT-2024-05-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Tuttle Bruce C TUTTLE-GLASAIR (registry code 05655WR, https://openairdocs.org/model/tuttle-bruce-c-tuttle-glasair) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-320 series (registry code 41509, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TUTTLE BRUCE C TUTTLE-GLASAIR
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA061) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231226019379A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL WHEEL LANDING IN THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ON R21L, HE HELD THE AIRPLANE’S TAIL OFF THE GROUND UNTIL IT HAD DECELERATED TO ABOUT 30 MPH. AS SOON AS THE TAIL SETTLED, AND THE TAILWHEEL TOUCHED THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AGGRESSIVELY.

THE TAILWHEEL LIKELY HIT A RUT OR BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN CAUSING THE TAILWHEEL LOCK TO BECOME DISENGAGED. THE NOW UNLOCKED WHEEL LIKELY OSCILLATED TO ITS TRAVEL LIMIT, WHERE THE ARM ENGAGED WITH THE SIDES OF THE PIVOT PLATE, LOCKING IT IN PLACE AT 45 °. THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE SUDDEN LOSS OF LATERAL CONTROL REPORTED 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 WPR24LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA061), Dec 26, 2023: Glasair SH2 (N29TT), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of directional control during landing due to an improperly constructed and maintained tailwheel locking assembly.

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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