Summary
On January 08, 2013, a Stribling James L RV4 (N70AC) was involved in an accident near Georgetown, CA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s improper landing flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing.
The pilot reported that he intended to land the tail-wheel equipped airplane on a sloped asphalt runway that he had not landed at prior to the accident flight. The first landing attempt terminated with a go-around because he was not comfortable with the approach. The second approach was high and a little too fast which caused the airplane to float down the runway. When the airplane touched down it bounced; after a second bounce, the pilot applied brakes and corrective action. The airplane veered off the hard surface runway, encountered soft mud and subsequently nosed over substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer, rudder and elevator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA089. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N70AC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s improper landing flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he intended to land the tail-wheel equipped airplane on a sloped asphalt runway that he had not landed at prior to the accident flight. The first landing attempt terminated with a go-around because he was not comfortable with the approach. The second approach was high and a little too fast which caused the airplane to float down the runway. When the airplane touched down it bounced; after a second bounce, the pilot applied brakes and corrective action. The airplane veered off the hard surface runway, encountered soft mud and subsequently nosed over substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer, rudder and elevator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA089