Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident was wet grass.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he made a 'perfect' wheel landing after a test flight in the recently rebuilt aircraft. When he let the tail down, the aircraft started turning to the right. The pilot further stated that, because of the wet runway, he was unable to stop the turn to the right and the aircraft ran over a berm, collapsing the left landing gear and damaging the left wing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 4, 1995, about 1415 hours Pacific daylight time, N2269N, a North American SNJ-4, was substantially damaged when The pilot lost directional control during landing at his private airstrip near Prospect, Oregon. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the pilot was making his first solo flight in the airplane, which had just been rebuilt. The pilot stated that the aircraft turned to the right after he had lowered the tail during a "perfect" wheel landing. The pilot stated that he was unable to stop the movement to the right due to the wet runway. The aircraft ran over a berm, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was substantially damaged during impact with the ground. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he "just blew it" on the landing. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. -