# Accident 20210410002399A: Rowe Dennis A HIGHLANDER, Bluefield, WV, April 10, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 10, 2021, 12:20 local time
- Place: Bluefield, WV
- Airport: Mercer County
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.2959° N, 81.2075° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2959&lon=-81.2075&mi=10
- Aircraft: N257DR, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N257DR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rowe Dennis A HIGHLANDER (registry code 05639S6, https://openairdocs.org/model/rowe-dennis-a-highlander) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROWE DENNIS A HIGHLANDER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 170 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA182) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210410002399A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

4-10-21 DEPARTED RIVER HILL AIRPORT PN46 AT 9:03 AM.

INCREASING SOUTH WINDS RESULTED IN THE DECISION TO LAND AT MERCER COUNTY BLF.

WINDS FAVORED RUNWAY 23 AND APPROACH AND LANDING WENT NORMAL WITH TOUCHDOWN AT 25MPH INDICATED.

ON ROLL OUT A STRONG GUST FROM THE LEFT BEGAN TO WEATHERVANE THE AIRCRAFT AND FULL RIGHT RUDDER AND BRAKE FAILED TO STOP THE LEFT TURN.

(THE TAILWHEEL IS A NON LOCKING FULL SWIVEL) AT SOME POINT THE RIGHT CABANE STRUT FAILED IN COMPRESSION AND ALLOWED THE RIGHT GEAR LEG TO ROTATE UNDER THE FUSELAGE AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT WING TIP CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT WING.

PIC ATTEMPTED MANEUVERS TO CORRECT THE AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE DURING ROLL OUT WIND GUSTS. PER. PIC STATEMENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA21LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA182), Apr 10, 2021: Rowe Dennis A Highlander (N257DR), Bluefield, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a ground loop.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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