North American SNJ N7980C accident near Jackson, Michigan

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, right main landing gear collapse, and impact with the ground.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll as the tailwheel came down, the left wing "rose up", and he attempted to correct with left aileron. The pilot further reported that the airplane started "yawing, sliding, and turning sideways on the pavement". The airplane veered off the runway to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 1 mile to the southwest, revealed that, about 19 minutes before the accident the wind was variable at 4 knots. The airplane landed on runway 24.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA338 for the full record.