# NTSB MIA06CA099: Howard DGA-15P, N95462, Merritt Island, FL, April 28, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2006, 08:05 local (12:05 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.347221, -80.686943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3472&lon=-80.6869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63586/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA099 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to comply with the before landing checklist for his failure to lock the tailwheel. ## 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 - landing gear,tailwheel - not secured - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that he failed to lock the tailwheel for takeoff due to his discontinuation of the checklist to see if the baggage door was secured. The flight departed and proceeded to the destination airport where he landed on runway 29 due to the wind direction. During the landing roll the airplane veered to the right which he attempted to correct with left rudder and brake input but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the right side of the runway causing substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot further stated he also failed to lock the tailwheel in anticipation of landing. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 2006, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Howard Aircraft Corporation DGA-15P, N95462, registered to and operated by a private individual, experienced a loss of directional control during the landing roll at Merritt Island Airport, Merritt Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from Naked Lady Ranch Airport, Stuart, Florida, to Merritt Island Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 0715, from Naked Lady Ranch Airport. The pilot stated that he failed to lock the tailwheel for takeoff due to his discontinuation of the checklist to see if the baggage door was secured. The flight departed and proceeded to the destination airport where he landed on runway 29 due to the wind direction. During the landing roll the airplane veered to the right which he attempted to correct with left rudder and brake input but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the right side of the runway causing substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot further stated he also failed to lock the tailwheel in anticipation of landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95462](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95462), registered now, S/N 771 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P - Registry model: [Howard DGA-15P](https://openairdocs.org/model/howard-dga-15p) (registry code 4690506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 771 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William C. Dannecker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: 64FA, Palm City, FL - Destination: KCOI, Merritt Island, FL - Airport: KCOI, Merritt Island Airport, runway 29 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 4,500 total, 228 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20060428006539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060428006539A), Apr 28, 2006: Howard DGA15P, Cocoa, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot distracted during take-off checklist, failed to lock tailwheel for take-off. Tailwheel was not locked for crosswind landing. 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.