| Crash location | 31.150000°N, 97.400000°W |
| Nearest city | Temple, TX
31.098234°N, 97.342782°W 4.9 miles away |
| Tail number | N12444 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 03 Apr 2004 |
| Aircraft type | Waco RBA |
| Additional details: | None |
On April 3, 2004, approximately 1014 central standard time, a Waco RBA single-engine bi-plane, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control during the landing roll at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), near Temple, Texas. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated at 0930.
According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 192-hour pilot departed TPL under "mostly ideal flying conditions," and flew to a private grass strip to perform three full stall landings. Upon returning to TPL, the pilot configured the 1932 vintage airplane to land on Runway 15. Runway 15 was 6,301 feet long by 150 feet wide and has an asphalt surface. The pilot stated that the base and final legs were "normal" and there was no "crabbing," which led the pilot to configure for a power-on wheel landing. Touchdown on the main landing gear was "normal;" there was no sign of trouble. As power decreased, the airplane began to slow down, and the pilot added forward stick to keep the tail "off" as long as possible. The pilot held the stick as long as possible, but the tail eventually came down and the pilot stated that he knew the speed rolling on the runway would be a little fast, but manageable. During the landing roll, the right wing "began to lift." As the wing came up, the pilot applied left brake and applied a little aileron. The left brake "locked up," and the aircraft nosed-over, onto its top wing.
Examination of the wreckage by the owner/operator revealed structural damage to the upper left and right wings, the wooded propeller disintegrated, the wooden motor mount was destroyed, the left wheel fairing was crushed, center section of the gas tank was wrinkled topside, and the vertical stabilizer was crushed.
The owner/operator added that it is extremely difficult to land a narrow-gear bi-plane on a grooved asphalt runway. He added that he would like the airport to provide a grass landing area for bi-planes.
The weather conditions for TPL at 0955 were reporting winds from 320 degrees at 3 knots.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the locked wheel.