ATL98LA126

Following a landing on runway 32, the airplane veered off the runway to the right, continued down an embankment, then nosed over inverted. Post crash examination of the airplane revealed the right tail wheel castering spring was absent, which the pilot believed resulted in the loss of control. The airport manager noted that the skid marks on the runway indicated a gradual right turn shortly after touchdown, with the left main tire mark three times wider than the right, and the tail wheel skid mark occurring about 15 feet northwest of the main tire marks. He stated that a loss of the right castering spring would have resulted in the airplane veering to the left. The pilot had 128 total flight hours with six hours in the same make and model airplane. There was a four knot cross wind from 030 degrees.

On September 16, 1998, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 65-TAC (L-3), N39309, nosed over during the landing roll at Dalton Municipal Airport, Dalton Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Hawkins County Airport, TN (RVN), about 0915 on the same day.

According to the pilot, after landing on runway 32, the airplane tracked along the center line then veered to the right over running the runway right side. The airplane continued down an embankment then nosed over inverted. The pilot also reported that the tailwheel right spring was absent, which resulted in the loss of directional

The airport manager stated that he examined the airplane and the runway skid marks following the accident. He reported also, that the right tail wheel castering spring was missing. He noted that the tire marks indicated the airplane veered right in a wide arc, shortly after touchdown, with the left main tire mark three times wider than the right He opined from the skid marks that the tail wheel contacted the runway about 15 feet beyond the main wheel contact. The airport manager stated that if the right tail wheel castering spring had been absent on touchdown, the airplane would have veered left.