Bradley S-1D N787PA

Summary

On 27 August 1989 at about 22:45 local time, a Bradley S-1D registered N787PA, operated by Thimothy W Slavens, was involved in an accident near Mt Pleasant, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 August 1989 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Mt Pleasant, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Mt Pleasant Muni (MOP)

Coordinates

43.5894, -84.7694

Aircraft

Bradley S-1D

Registration

N787PA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Thimothy W Slavens

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI89DEM07

1 person had minor injuries.

THE TAIL WHEEL SPRING BECOMING DISCONNECTED RESULTING IN THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A SEVERE TAIL WHEEL SHIMMY WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE LANDING ROLL. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WHERE IT CONTACTED A DITCH. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE LEFT SIDE TAIL WHEEL SPRING WAS FOUND ON THE RUNWAY. THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE RUDDER, BUT WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE TAIL WHEEL STEERING HORN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.