# NTSB LAX81DUJ08: Tailwind Wittma, N2732, Payson, AZ, November 4, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: November 4, 1980
- Place: Payson, AZ · PAYSON, AZ
- Location: 34.2438° N, 111.3190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Payson, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2438&lon=-111.3190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DUJ08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUJ08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3198   80/11/4   PAYSON,AZ           TAILWIND WITTMA     CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 1299
        TIME - 1330                    N2732               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 30 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PAYSON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MESA,AZ                     PAYSON,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        REMARKS- MODIFIED FORK SHAFT HOUSING ON TAIL WHL ASSY FAILED AT WELD BEAD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2732](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2732-2014-04-02), registration cancelled 2014-04-02, S/N 273, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAILWIND WITTMA
- Registry model: [Wittman TAILWIND](https://openairdocs.org/model/wittman-tailwind) (registry code 97902J2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Payson

## 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 19801104063399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801104063399A), Nov 4, 1980: Amtrwt TAILWIND, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Tail wheel broke off on landing. Veered off runway into ditch.

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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