Probable cause
A fracture of the airplane's tailwheel shock absorber linkage during taxi, resulting in the collapse of the tailwheel.
NTSB analysis
The crew of a tailwheel-equipped airplane landed on a gravel-covered, off-airport site at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 cargo flight. The captain said that while taxiing to parking after an uneventful landing, he and the other pilot heard a loud “thump”, and he stopped the airplane. The crew’s inspection revealed that the airplane’s tailwheel had collapsed, and as a result, the fuselage adjacent to the tailwheel sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed a fractured shock absorber linkage, which was part of the tailwheel swivel assembly.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09LA064 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 7, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Skwentna, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Douglas DC-3C
- N-number
- N777YA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.