Aeronca L 3B N46893 accident near Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll after his fifth landing, the airplane veered hard left. He corrected to the right, but as the airplane straightened out, the left main landing gear impacted a runway light, spinning the airplane around. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the left side.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that he received his tailwheel endorsement 3 months before the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA062 for the full record.