- Date
- October 2, 2008, 18:45 local (Oct 3, 2008, 01:45 UTC)
- Place
- Lynden, WA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N2146MPiper J3C-65
- Defining event
- Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 5, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20081002846449A
- Case key
- 69224
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The separation of the tailwheel spring retaining clip for unknown reasons, which resulted in the loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot stated that the tailwheel equipped airplane suddenly veered to the right during the landing roll. Despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right, exited the runway, and impacted a hangar located adjacent to the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. The tailwheel spring retaining clip was found separated from the tailwheel assembly. No anomalies were noted with the flight control system.
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that during the landing roll in a tailwheel equipped airplane, it veered suddenly to the right. Despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right, exited the runway, and impacted a hangar located adjacent to the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. The tailwheel spring retaining clip was found separated from the tailwheel assembly. No anomalies were noted with the flight control system.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2146M
- Reported as
- Piper J3C-65
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 20931
- Engine
- Continental C85, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- John William Vanderhage
- Registered owner
- Scott Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- 38W · Lynden, WA
- Destination
- 38W · Lynden, WA
- Airport
- 38W · Lynden Airport, runway 25, 2,425 × 40 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- September 12, 2008
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 233 total · 15 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,900 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.73 inHg
- Observed at
- BLI, 10 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.