# NTSB DFW07CA175: Mellema Bede 4, N76VR, Ennis, TX, August 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2007, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Ennis, TX - Coordinates: 32.329723, -96.663887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3297&lon=-96.6639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Dallas, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 66372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane following the disconnect of the tailwheel steering chain while landing. ## 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 - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,tailwheel - disconnected (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 520-hour private pilot lost directional control of the single-engine tailwheel equipped experimental airplane during the landing roll on. The pilot reported that while in the pattern for the 3,999-foot long, by 50-foot wide runway, the tailwheel developed an excessive shimmy resulting in the loss of directional control. The pilot added that during his fifth touch and go, he first noted that the airplane started a slight drift to the left, which was followed by an uncommanded turn to the right. The airplane exited off the right side of the asphalt runway, into the grass. The airplane subsequently nosed-over and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the engine firewall sustained structural damage during the accident sequence. Additionally, the right steering chain was found separated from the steering arm of the tailwheel assembly. The reason for the separation could not be determined. The winds at the time of the accident were reported as light and variable. ## Factual narrative The 520-hour private pilot lost directional control of the single-engine tailwheel equipped experimental airplane during the landing roll on. The pilot reported that while in the pattern for the 3,999-foot long, by 50-foot wide runway, the tailwheel developed an excessive shimmy resulting in the loss of directional control. The pilot added that during his fifth touch and go, he first noted that the airplane started a slight drift to the left, which was followed by an uncommanded turn to the right. The airplane exited off the right side of the asphalt runway, into the grass. The airplane subsequently nosed-over and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the engine firewall sustained structural damage during the accident sequence. Additionally, the right steering chain was found separated from the steering arm of the tailwheel assembly. The reason for the separation could not be determined. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported as light and variable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76VR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76VR-2010-01-06), registration cancelled 2010-01-06, S/N 582, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mellema Bede 4 - Registry model: [Mellema BEDE 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/mellema-bede-4) (registry code 1130449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Airframe hours: 750 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas H. Barney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2005 - Departed: F41, ENNIS, TX - Destination: Ennis, TX - Airport: F41, Ennis Muni, runway 15, 3,999 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 18 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LNC, 15 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070803015949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070803015949A), Aug 3, 2007: Amtr BEDEBD4, Ennis, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The private rated pilot and passenger were on a 14 CFR part 91 local flight. During practice touch and go landings on runway 15 at Ennis Municipal… ## Other investigations on N76VR (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 SEA86LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA149), Jun 21, 1986: Mellema Bede 4 (N76VR), Kent, WA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.