Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed, which resulted in a overshoot of the runway in tailwind conditions and subsequent nose over. Factors in the accident were the tail wind condition and the short runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The airplane overran the landing strip and nosed over. In both a written statement and in oral interviews, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for the non-paying passenger to take pictures at the destination airstrip. As the airplane approached the destination, the pilot performed three passes over the strip and noted that the windsock indicated light winds (about 5 knots). The airstrip was sloped upward to the south. The pilot opted to land to the south, with a tailwind. He made a normal approach and touchdown. On the landing roll he applied brake pressure, but was unable to stop before continuing off the landing strip surface. The airplane encountered deep sand and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot exited the airplane and noted that the windsock indicated moderate tail winds.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX07CA132