N943QC Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B accident

NTSB CEN23LA375 · 2023-08-21 · Rice, MN

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he performed a straight in landing to a private airstrip. He anticipated a crosswind from the east, so he made the approach with additional airspeed to have more controllability in the crosswind. He stated that he landed about two thirds of the way down the 2,574 ft runway, reduced power, and reduced the propeller pitch to low. The tailwheel settled to the ground at a location on the runway where there was a break in the adjacent tree line. The pilot reported that the crosswind intensified at this point, and the airplane yawed to the left. The left main landing gear exited the paved portion of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct with rudder and brakes; however, the airplane continued off the runway and into a plowed field. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted in the field. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, wind at an airport 12 nm northwest of the accident site was 090°at 8 knots. The pilot was landing to the south.

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a left crosswind. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

None

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

OVC

Ceiling (ft)

4500

Visibility (sm)

9

Wind direction

90

Wind speed (kt)

8

Temperature (F)

77

Nearest airport

Oleen AG Air

Distance from field

0.0

Airport elevation

1100

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings