Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's limited expereince in tailwheel aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had just completed a 5-hour dual instruction period in tailwheel aircraft. The pilot said he had no prior tailwheel airplane experience. The pilot stated that he was on his eighth touch-and-go pattern operation and lost directional control during the landing. The aircraft veered to the edge of the runway and the pilot reported that he over- corrected somewhat. The horizontal stabilizer struck the runway sign as the pilot added power to takeoff; the collision bent the stabilizer. As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot felt that it was uncontrollable and he set it back down on the runway in a crab. On touchdown, the landing gear collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 4, 1994, at 1038 Pacific standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5038M, collided with a runway sign following an on-ground loss of control while performing touch-and-go pattern operations at the Buchanan airport, Concord, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the Buchanan Flying Club of Concord, California, and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Concord airport on the day of the accident at 0938 hours. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had just completed a 5-hour dual instruction period in tailwheel aircraft. The pilot said he had no prior tailwheel airplane experience. The pilot stated that he was on his eighth touch-and-go pattern operation and lost directional control during the landing. The aircraft veered to the edge of the runway and the pilot reported that he overcorrected somewhat. The horizontal stabilizer struck the runway sign as the pilot added power to takeoff; the collision bent the stabilizer. As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot felt that it was uncontrollable and he sat it back down on the runway in a crab angle. On touchdown, the landing gear collapsed. -