Piper J3C-65 N3453K accident near Garberville, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with an unoccupied parked airplane.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He reported that, after conducting a wheel landing, the airplane veered to the right as the tailwheel touched down. He attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane did not have enough airspeed and exited the right side of the runway, where it impacted an unoccupied parked airplane.

Postaccident examination of the airplane’s tailwheel revealed that when installed on the airplane, it remained within the steering detents. When sufficient force was applied, the tailwheel traveled beyond the detent to the left; however, it did not travel beyond the detent to the right. In addition to the tailwheel spring clip, a braided portion of safety wire was attached to the steering arm and connector spring assembly. Once removed, the tailwheel functioned normally. Disassembly of the tailwheel did not reveal any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

It is likely that, while the tailwheel assembly was connected to airplane, the safety wire installed between the steering arm and connector spring assembly would not allow the tailwheel to rotate beyond the detent when moved to the right. However, the tailwheel not traveling beyond the detent to a full-swivel condition would not have prevented the pilot from maintaining direction control while landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA008 for the full record.