Event SEA96LA098

Factual narrative

On May 26, 1996, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, N56642, a Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during landing in Brookings, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Arcata, California, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that he was performing take-offs and landings in his World War II vintage aircraft at the Brookings State Airport. He stated that the wind "did a 180 degree reversal with gusts to 20 [plus knots] estimated by ground observers" while he was in the traffic pattern for another landing on runway 12. The pilot elected to continue the approach and landing. He stated that when he realized he had a tail wind, it was "too late for go-around." He stated that he "elected to go off [the side of the runway] in brush rather than off bluff at end." The right wing of the airplane impacted a fir tree. The airplane spun around and the left wing struck a tree stump. No preimpact mechanical deficiencies were reported. The pilot stated that he was performing take-offs and landings in his World War II vintage aircraft. He stated that the wind direction reversed and became gusty, while he was in the traffic pattern for another landing on runway 12. The pilot elected to continue the approach and landing. He stated that when he realized he had a tail wind, it was 'too late for go-around.' He elected to veer the airplane off to one side of the runway into brush rather than continue off the opposite end of the runway and down a bluff. The right wing of the airplane impacted a fir tree. The airplane then spun around, and the left wing struck a tree stump. No preimpact mechanical deficiency was reported. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12