# NTSB ATL85LA158: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, N477M, Greenville, AL, May 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1985, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, AL
- Coordinates: 31.820976, -86.619132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8210&lon=-86.6191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA158

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE A NORMAL APCH FOR A FULL STOP, 3-POINT LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT BEGAN TO VIBRATE & SHAKE LATERALLY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY A TAIL WHEEL SHIMMY, BUT AT FIRST, HE DID NOT REALIZE WHAT CAUSED THE SHAKING. THE ACFT BEGAN DRIFTING, BUT IT WAS TOO SLOW FOR RUDDER EFFECTIVENSS, SO THE PLT USED DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING. THE ACFT THEN SWERVED OFF THE RWY & FLIPPED OVER. AN EXAM & DISASSEMBLY OF THE TAILWHEEL DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N477M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES 2T-1A-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0770
- Airframe hours: 523
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-B1G6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman F. Mcgowin, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: 4A3, GREENVILLE, AL
- Airport: PRN, Greenville Muni, runway 32, 3,790 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,190 total, 66 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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.

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