Summary
On April 15, 2019, a Kaminskas RTH JUNGSTER 1 (N3243) was involved in an incident near Lebanon, IN. 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 selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that about 30 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge needle entered the yellow (caution) arc. The pilot made a precautionary landing at the nearest airport. However, he decided to land on the grass on the right side of the asphalt runway.
Before landing, he overflew the grass surface to evaluate the surface condition, and he performed a touch-and-go to further assess the surface condition. The third approach and the landing were normal, but during the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels encountered, "a soft patch of muddy soil," and the airplane nosed over.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA215. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3243.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that about 30 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge needle entered the yellow (caution) arc. The pilot made a precautionary landing at the nearest airport. However, he decided to land on the grass on the right side of the asphalt runway.
Before landing, he overflew the grass surface to evaluate the surface condition, and he performed a touch-and-go to further assess the surface condition. The third approach and the landing were normal, but during the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels encountered, "a soft patch of muddy soil," and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot reported that the only mechanical malfunction that occurred, was specific to the oil pressure gauge.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA215