Probable cause
The failure of the bolts securing the tail wheel to its attach point that resulted in a loss of directional control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot made a normal landing but the airplane veered off the runway when the tail wheel made contact with the pavement. The airplane ground looped, sustaining damage to the left wing tip. The pilot said that rudder control inputs he made were ineffective in controlling the airplane. During a post-accident examination of the airplane, the pilot discovered that the bolts which attach the tail wheel assembly to the tail spring were sheared.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA293 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 11, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Truckee, California
- Nearest airport
- Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built F1
- N-number
- N954CB
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.