MIA01LA148

The owner said that the pilot was being checked out on his aircraft, and while landing the aircraft, it ground looped 180-degrees, and the side load imparted to the tail section ripped the tailwheel off the empennage at the attach points, bending the bulkhead. The pilot stated that the accident occurred when directional control was lost during the landing rollout, resulting in a slow right turn during which the airplane exited the runway, and stopped about 20 feet from the runway edge, in the opposite direction. According to the pilot, there had been no previous mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft, or any of its systems, prior to the accident.

On May 30, 2001, about 1642 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4893R, registered to, and operated by Londe Air Service Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped during landing at Humboldt, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight had originated from Humboldt Municipal Airport, the same day, about 1630.

According to the aircraft owner, the pilot was about a 4,000-hour agricultural pilot, who was being considered for employment with his company. The owner further stated that the pilot had taken the aircraft, stating that he would taxi it around and familiarize himself with its handling characteristics, and during the course of the familiarization he decided to fly the aircraft. The owner said that while the pilot was landing the aircraft, it ground looped 180 degrees, and the side load imparted to the tail section ripped the tailwheel off the empennage at the attach points, bending the bulkhead.

The pilot stated that the final approach and flare were normal, and the accident occurred when directional control was lost during the landing rollout, resulting in a slow right turn during which the airplane exited the runway, and stopped about 20 feet from the runway edge, in the opposite direction. The pilot further stated that the tailwheel and fuselage were damaged as a result of the accident. According to the pilot, there had been no previous mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft, or any of its systems, prior to the accident.