What was found
AIRCRAFT TAIL WHEEL LOCKING / UNLOCKING MECHANISH NOT SATISFACTORY PER PILOT'S REPORT. FOUND TAIL WHEEL LOCKING PIN OUTSIDE DIAMETER WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THE LOCK PIN TO SLIDE WITHIN ITS HOUSING. A 1/4 TURN EITHER WAY FREED THE PIN. FURTHER, THE PART OF THE PIN THAT PROTRUDES INTO THE TAIL WHEEL CENTERING CAM WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY ROUNDED OR TAPERED TO ALLOW A RAPID AND POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT. THE LOCK PIN IS CRITICAL TO THE SAFE LANDING OF THE AIRCRAFT IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.