Summary
On May 21, 2017, a Fairchild 24R (N25329) was involved in an accident near Catlett, VA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in the airplane impacting wheat stalks and a subsequent nose-over.
The pilot in the tail-wheel equipped airplane reported that he accomplished an approach to land on a grass airstrip. During the approach he avoided powerline wires and buildings that were located at the approach end of what he perceived to be the runway. Prior to the landing flare he realized that what he perceived as the runway was a wheat field. The airplane's main landing gear became entangled with the wheat stocks and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the engine mounts, the rudder, the vertical stabilizer and the wing strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA295. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N25329.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in the airplane impacting wheat stalks and a subsequent nose-over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot in the tail-wheel equipped airplane reported that he accomplished an approach to land on a grass airstrip. During the approach he avoided powerline wires and buildings that were located at the approach end of what he perceived to be the runway. Prior to the landing flare he realized that what he perceived as the runway was a wheat field. The airplane's main landing gear became entangled with the wheat stocks and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the engine mounts, the rudder, the vertical stabilizer and the wing strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA295