LAX00LA227

The pilot lost directional control of his 1928 Curtis-Wright Travel Air 4000 following a bounced touchdown on runway 16L, which is 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. A wing contacted the runway and the airplane veered 30 degrees left. It departed the runway and collided with a precision approach path indicator light fixture following which it nosed over. No mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the operation of the airplane. About the time of the accident, the reported wind was from 300 degrees at 4 to 6 knots. In the pilot's completed accident report, he recalled that the wind's direction was variable, and its speed was 6 knots.

On June 14, 2000, about 1615 hours Pacific daylight time, a Curtis-Wright Travel Air 4000, N6425, owned and operated by the pilot, veered off runway 16L during landing rollout at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada. Thereafter, the airplane collided with an airport light fixture and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The personal flight originated from Placerville, California, about 1500.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he performed a normal landing on runway 16L in his 1928 vintage conventional gear airplane. Runway 16L is 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. The pilot further reported that after touching down near the runway numbers he lost directional control when the airplane suddenly veered left and the right wing tip dragged on the pavement. The airplane departed the runway at a 30-degree angle. No mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the operation of the airplane.

An air traffic controller, who reportedly witnessed the accident, indicated that during landing, the airplane appeared to bounce on the runway. Thereafter, it veered off the runway and collided with a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) light fixture following which it nosed over.

About the time of the accident, the reported wind was from 300 degrees at 4 knots. In the pilot's completed accident report, he recalled that the wind's direction was variable, and its speed was 6 knots.

Reno Airport's surface wind direction and speed during the hour before and after the accident were as follows: At 1456, the wind was from 020 degrees, 4 knots. At 1556, the wind was from 350 degrees, at 7 knots.