CEN20CA151

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped biplane had completed a banner tow flight and had dropped the banner at its designated location. He subsequently entered the traffic pattern and approached to land with a right crosswind. During the landing roll, the airplane weathervaned, exited the right side of the runway and entered the soft grass surface that bordered the runway. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the left upper wing, the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident anomalies with the airplane that could have contributed to the accident. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 33. The pilot reported that he had completed a banner tow flight and had dropped the banner at its designated location. He subsequently entered the traffic pattern and approached to land with a right crosswind. During the landing roll, the airplane weather-vaned, exited the right side of the runway, and entered soft grass. The airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the left upper wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - C