Summary
On January 22, 2020, a Stearman B75N1 (N14GC) was involved in an accident near Vacaville, 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 failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over when the right wheel encountered mud.
The private pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice stop-and-go landings. The airplane took off and made a standard traffic pattern to land. The airplane touched down on the numbers with both main wheels. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot felt a gust of wind from the east which tipped the left wing down. He attempted to correct with right aileron, but when the wings became level the right wheel exited the runway surface and sunk into the mud. The airplane nosed over substantially damaging the rudder.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR20CA073. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N14GC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over when the right wheel encountered mud.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The private pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice stop-and-go landings. The airplane took off and made a standard traffic pattern to land. The airplane touched down on the numbers with both main wheels. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot felt a gust of wind from the east which tipped the left wing down. He attempted to correct with right aileron, but when the wings became level the right wheel exited the runway surface and sunk into the mud. The airplane nosed over substantially damaging the rudder.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine 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# WPR20CA073