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GAA17CA190

2017-03-11 · Minden, Nevada, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MEV

N56FD has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in variable wind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown the airplane "weathervaned to the left and full right rudder could not keep it on the runway". Subsequently, the main landing gear dug into the soft mud and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown, the airplane "weathervaned to the left and full right rudder could not keep it on the runway." Subsequently, the main landing gear dug into the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA190.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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