Event ERA13CA164

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel airplane reported that the glider-tow operations were departing into the wind on a 3,000-foot long turf runway, and landing in the opposite direction, with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider release, the airplane was returning to the airport for a second glider tow. While turning on to a base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power, which increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast," about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to flip over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting glider-tow operations, which were departing into the wind; the gliders were then landing in the opposite direction with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider tow and release, the airplane was returning to the airport to conduct a second glider tow. While turning to the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power and increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast" about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing; no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal airplane operation were observed, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Not specified
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C