LAX08LA197

The pilot performed a wheel landing on runway 21 and as the tail settled, a wind gust caused the airplane to exit the runway to the right. The airplane encountered a 2-foot drop-off on the runway edge, and nosed over onto its back. A single skid mark was observed on the runway surface that corresponded to the right wheel of the airplane; however, post accident examination revealed no anomalies with the braking system. About 25 minutes prior to the accident, the weather reporting facility at the airport reported winds from 340 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot estimated the winds to be variable at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots at the time of the accident.

On June 26, 2008, about 1120 mountain daylight time, a Boeing D75N1, N19BB, veered off the runway and nosed over during landing at Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport, Driggs, Idaho. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper left wing. The local flight departed Driggs about 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he performed a wheel landing on runway 21 due to gusty wind conditions. He stated that as the tail settled, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right and depart the runway. The airplane then encountered a drop-off at the runway edge and nosed over. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector observed a single arcing skid mark on the runway surface that corresponded to the right wheel of the airplane. In addition, recovery personnel reported to the FAA inspector that the wheels of the airplane could not be rotated after the accident, and that the parking brake appeared to be set. The pilot reported that the airplane was not equipped with parking brakes. A local mechanic was called by recovery personnel to assist with moving the airplane after the accident. He stated that when he arrived on scene the airplane was resting on its main landing gear; he checked the main wheels and found that the reason the airplane could not be moved was that one of the wheels was lodged in a divot in the soil. He stated that the wheel was moved out of the divot, and the airplane was then successfully towed back to its hangar. At a later date, under the auspices of the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the mechanic inspected the brake system. He noted that the wheel assembly was manufactured by Hayes Industries, and was a 27-inch drum and shoe type, number G-3-1. He confirmed that brake pedal travel appeared to be normal, and that wheel rotation would stop when pedal pressure was applied. He confirmed that the airplane was not equipped with a parking brake. The closest official weather observation station was based at Driggs Airport. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) was issued at 1056. It stated in part: winds from 340 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles with clear skies. At 1156, the winds were reported as calm. At 1256, the winds were reported from 260 degrees at 15 knots. A METAR was issued at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming, which was located 18 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1153, it stated in part: winds from 200 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots; visibility 10 miles with clear skies. The pilot estimated the winds to be variable at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots.