ERA19TA222

The pilot had purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane the day before the accident and was practicing maneuvers and landings. During his fifth wheel landing in calm wind, the pilot felt and heard a rumble that he reported sounded like a "machine gun" when the tailwheel touched down. The airplane continued to track the centerline for about 5 to 6 seconds but then veered right. Subsequently, the pilot applied left rudder, the airplane veered left off the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right-wing spar sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain. Examination of the tailwheel assembly revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the pilot from maintaining directional control of the airplane; however, the chain and spring assembly on the tailwheel were loose, which likely contributed to the rumble that the pilot experienced when the tailwheel touched down.

On July 2, 2019, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N2352K, was substantially damaged during the landing and subsequent runway excursion at Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT), Sevierville, Tennessee. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed about 0815. The pilot reported that he had purchased the airplane the day prior to the accident and planned to complete a local time building flight. He departed the airport and performed maneuvers in the local area, returned to GKT, and completed 4 normal wheel landings on runway 28. On the fifth wheel landing, the pilot reported that both main landing gear touched down about 55-60 mph on the runway centerline, and about 30 mph, the tailwheel settled to the runway. As soon as the tailwheel touched down, the pilot stated he felt a rumble "like a machine gun" and the airplane continued to track the centerline for about 5-6 seconds, but then veered to the right. He applied left rudder, and the airplane subsequently veered left off the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right-wing spar sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain. The pilot reported that when he exited the airplane, he observed that the tailwheel was at rest 90° to the right, perpendicular to the fuselage. Examination of the tailwheel assembly by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that it moved freely, and no binds or control linkage problems were discovered. He reported that the chain and spring assembly on the tailwheel were a "little loose." According to FAA airman records, the pilot in command held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He completed the Basic Medical certification on September 12, 2018. He reported he had accumulated 439 total flight hours, of which 9 hours were in the accident make and model airplane. He reported he received a tailwheel endorsement in January 2009. According to FAA airworthiness records, the tailwheel equipped airplane was powered by a Continental C85 engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed on July 1, 2019. At 0940, the reported weather at GKT included 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, calm wind, temperature 28°C, dew point 21°C, and barometric pressure of 30.06 inches of mercury. The pilot reported that the wind was calm.