Amateur-built SH2 accident near Prescott, Arizona, December 26, 2023
On December 26, 2023 at about 7:21 pm local time, a 1986 amateur-built SH2, registered N29TT, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Prescott, Arizona (Prescott Rgnl - Ernest A Love airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of directional control during landing due to an improperly constructed and maintained tailwheel locking assembly.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 26, 2023 · about 7:21 pm local time
- Place
- Prescott, Arizona · Prescott Rgnl - Ernest A Love · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SH2, built 1986
- Registration
- N29TT · no longer on the register · serial 451
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
When the airplane’s tailwheel touched the ground during landing, the airplane immediately swerved and ground looped, causing substantial damage to the fuselage due to sideloads on the landing gear. The weather conditions were not a factor, and examination revealed that the tailwheel was jammed 45° relative to the direction of travel. Further examination revealed that the tailwheel assembly locking mechanism was significantly worn and had been incorrectly constructed, so a positive lock was not possible. Under this condition, with light side loads as are often encountered during landing, the tailwheel could unlock and be pushed into an over center position. This resulted in the airplane aggressively swerving as observed.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Nose/tail landing gear › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Nose/tail landing gear › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,991 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 2,930 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 9, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,134.1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 5, 2023; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,329 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SAD Safford AZ at 6:11 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03R/, 7,619 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 12:38 pm from KPRC
Weather report (METAR): KPRC 261938Z 32007KT 290V360 10SM CLR 08/M12 A3017 RMK AO2 AIRCRAFT INCIDENT T00831117=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on July 24, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Examination Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Report Attachment 1 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.