Summary
On November 26, 2018, a Darren M. Vinelli Sopwith PUP (N1916Z) was involved in an incident near Rio Vista, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting tailwind conditions.
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a variable crosswind gust and the left wing lifted. He was able to keep the airplane on the runway and established a landing roll. The ground speed was about 20 miles per hour and the airplane encountered another wind gust. The airplane weathervaned to the left and exited the left side of the runway, rolled into mud and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder.
The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots and gusting to 8 knots.
The METAR at the nearest airport was about 12 miles to the west of the accident site, and reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was out from 02 at 6 knots.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA075. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1916Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting tailwind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a variable crosswind gust and the left wing lifted. He was able to keep the airplane on the runway and established a landing roll. The ground speed was about 20 miles per hour and the airplane encountered another wind gust. The airplane weathervaned to the left and exited the left side of the runway, rolled into mud and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder.
The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots and gusting to 8 knots.
The METAR at the nearest airport was about 12 miles to the west of the accident site, and reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was out from 02 at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25.
The pilot reported that there were no 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# GAA19CA075