SEA00LA178

The pilot was attempting to land the tailwheel aircraft on runway 17 with winds blowing from 250 degrees at 12 knots gusting 17. Although he was able to successfully touch down on the main gear, as he lowered the tailwheel to the runway, the aircraft was hit by a gust from the right, which caused it to weathervane into the wind. As the pilot was attempting to realign the aircraft with the runway, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the runway surface.

On September 14, 2000, at 1753 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N77948, experienced a gear collapse during the landing roll at Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton, Washington, about 20 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, who was landing on runway 17, the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast was indicating winds from 240 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17 knots. While he was on short final, the tower advised the pilot that the winds were then 230 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17. Although he was able to make a successful touchdown on the main gear, as he lowered the tailwheel to the runway, a right crosswind gust forced the aircraft to begin to weathervane to the right. During his attempt to bring the aircraft back into alignment with the runway, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the runway surface. According to the tower, at the time the aircraft touched down, the winds had switched back to 250 degrees, and were still blowing at 12 to 17 knots.