# NTSB SEA03LA080: Allen SA-300, N147DA, Yakima, WA, May 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2003, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Yakima, WA - Coordinates: 46.569168, -120.533332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5692&lon=-120.5333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56987/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA080 ## Probable cause Directional control was not maintained during the landing roll. A steering spring disconnected as a result of a tailwheel shimmy was a factor. ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had accomplished about six landings without incident prior to the final landing. During the landing roll, when the tailwheel contacted the surface, a severe vibration was felt. The aircraft immediately weathervaned to the right into the wind. Left rudder control and braking action were not effective and the aircraft subsequently ground looped. Post-accident inspection noted a loss of friction to the tailwheel anti-shimmy clutch. Both steering springs were also disconnected. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2003, approximately 1415 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Allen Starduster Too SA-300, N147DA, registered to Hawkeye Aviation Inc., operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collapsed the landing gear during the landing roll at Yakima Air Terminal, Yakima, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. During a telephone interview, the private pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to fulfill an insurance requirement for him to accomplish 15 hours of dual instruction in the aircraft. The pilot reported that he had accomplished about six landings without incident prior to the final landing. The pilot stated that during the landing roll on runway 27, when the tailwheel contacted the surface, a severe vibration was felt. The aircraft immediately weathervaned to the right into the wind. Left rudder control and braking action were not effective and the aircraft subsequently ground looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left side lower wing contacted the surface. Post-accident inspection of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, reported that the rear spar on the lower left side wing was cracked. The inspector also reported that there was a loss of friction to the tailwheel anti-shimmy clutch. Both steering springs were also disconnected. At 1356 the airport was reporting the winds from 40 degrees at 7 knots. ## 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 assembly - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - disconnected (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Aircraft - Registration: [N147DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N147DA-2017-02-16), registration cancelled 2017-02-16, S/N 2021, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Allen SA-300 - Registry model: [Allen David William SA-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-david-william-sa-300) (registry code 0560492) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2021 - Airframe hours: 116 - Engines: Continental W670-6N 220 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carlton L. Peterson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: YKM, Yakima, WA - Destination: YKM - Airport: YKM, Yakima Air Terminal, runway 27, 7,603 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 8, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,637 total, 5 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: YKM ## 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 20030509007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030509007959A), May 9, 2003: Amtr SA300, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing tailwheel began to shimmy violently, resuling in the loss of spring tension, and the subsequent loss of spring connection (both) to the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.