Weaver WACO-ASO N4W
9 June 1991 · Montague, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 9 June 1991 at about 22:00 local time, a Weaver WACO-ASO registered N4W, operated by Willard Detour, was involved in an accident near Montague, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Montague, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Montague (105)
- Coordinates
- 41.7601, -122.3903
- Aircraft
- Weaver WACO-ASO
- Registration
- N4W
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Willard Detour
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Cottage Grove
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX91LA256
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IMPROPER USE OF THE BRAKES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE CERTIFICATED PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING THE AIRPORT FOLLOWING A REFUELING STOP ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM A VINTAGE AIRPLANE SHOW. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION IN THE TAILWHEEL. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT BRAKE. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY. THE AIRPLANE THEN SETTLED AND THE RIGHT WHEEL CONTACTED THE RUNWAY SURFACE WITH THE BRAKE LOCKED. THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. A WITNESS REPORTED HEARING SCRAPING AND SQUEAKING NOISES EMANATING FROM THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND MENTIONED IT TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE HAD 'SOFT BRAKES' IN THE PAST. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE TAILWHEEL BEARING WAS FOUND SHATTERED BUT THIS HAD OCCURRED DURING THE INITIAL TRIP TO THE VINTAGE AIRSHOW.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul 1991 | Cessna C-172P | Hesperia, California, United States | South Bay Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Cessna 172N | Napa, California, United States | Bridgeford Flying SVC. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft 76 | Sacramento, California, United States | Altair Aviation Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1991 | Ayres S2R | Visalia, California, United States | Gilbert Aviation Industries | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1991 | Cessna 421C | Auburn, California, United States | Edward Mueller | No injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1991 | Champion 7GCBC | Lake Elsinore, California, United States | Halbeisen, John F | Fatal | 2 |