Probable cause
Failure of the tailwheel strut, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing roll and a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the vintage tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing roll, he heard a “pop,” followed by an uncommanded right turn. He was unable to correct the turn, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The left main landing gear subsequently collapsed on a taxiway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the tailwheel strut had failed and was in an overextended position, which locked the tailwheel in a right turn. The inspector added that the tailwheel strut had been rebuilt about 15 years and 500 operating hours prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA385 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 18, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dyersburg, Tennessee
- Nearest airport
- Dyersburg Regional Airport (DYR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 195
- N-number
- N195KW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1948
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.