SEA95LA057

The pilot performed a wheel landing, then allowed the tail to come down as speed bled off during rollout. He stated that when the tail wheel made contact with the runway, tail wheel steering appeared to be normal, and he used it to maintain his position on the centerline of the runway. The tower issued taxi instructions and, about that time, the aircraft swerved to the left and he was unable to correct with right rudder and right brake. The aircraft continued turning, skidded sideways, and the right main landing gear collapsed, allowing the wing to strike the surface.

On February 25, 1995, at 1556 Pacific standard time (PST), a North American AT-6G, N4269E, experienced a main gear collapse during the landing roll at McNary Field, Salem, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight, which departed the same airport about 1530, 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 FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the pilot reported that he lost control of the aircraft during the landing roll, and accidently departed the side of the runway. After the aircraft departed the runway, it started turning sideways in the soft terrain, resulting in the collapse of one main gear.