B25PBYGUY wrote:
Bill, while I cant speak for every 17's possibly altered system (Liberty Belle pilot), there are 3 squat switches - one per wheel. Its quite possible that the Overcast gear was not fully down and over center. There are several reasons that could cause this to include both mechanical or pilot error. A visual check can confirm over center is achieved by alignment of the drag struts.
Recalling the footage, and if the gear was not over center, the tailwheel was shimmying(is that a word?). The shimmy may be induced by an over inflated tailwheel, or tailwheel strut (over 2 5/8"), forward stick pressure after touchdown, or unlocking the tailwheel at too high a speed - say 30mph, - or a bad recapped tailwheel tire.
This in concert with the high speed angular departure from the the runway, may have been contributory factors. Otherwise, they may have gotten away with it.
It serves to illustrate that many factors usually contribute to an event, human factors in the cockpit, environmental stress at one of the country's busiest airports etc. It underscores the concept of risk management in the cockpit. Doubly so, when operating antiquated airplanes.
Great explanation thanks.
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