Summary
Circumstances:
At the completion of a trial instructional flight a normal flare and two-point touchdown was accomplished. On touchdown the pilot noticed a "tug" on the airframe and the elevator control became "stiff". Inspection revealed the tailwheel forward attachment bracket had failed from fatigue. This caused the tail of the aircraft to ride over the broken tailwheel forward arm, resulting in the tailwheel folding aft into the tail cone. The rear attachment then failed in overload allowing the tailwheel to separate from the aircraft.
Significant Factors:
The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:
1. The tailwheel front attachment bracket failed due to fatigue cracking.
2. Aircraft inspection failed to detect the crack.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199001973 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 25/02/1990 |
| Location | Tooraweenah |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 01/05/1990 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Let National Corporation |
|---|---|
| Model | Blanik |
| Registration | VH-GOL |
| Serial number | 26051 |
| Sector | Other |
| Operation type | Flying Training |
| Departure point | Tooraweenah NSW |
| Destination | Tooraweenah NSW |
| Damage | Substantial |