SEA97LA122

The pilot was on his first solo flight after receiving his tailwheel/conventional endorsement earlier on the same day. During the landing roll, he allowed his experimental biplane to move toward the right side of the runway, where its right main gear encountered standing water. The aircraft was pulled further to the right by the resistance of the right main tire passing through the water, and the aircraft ultimately exited the right side of the runway. After departing the runway, the aircraft entered an area of soft terrain, resulting in a nose-over.

On May 27, 1997, approximately 1030 mountain daylight time, a Noe SA-300 experimental biplane, N1923S, nosed over after departing the side of the runway at Bountiful Skypark, Bountiful, Utah. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 local personal pleasure flight had been in the air about 30 minutes at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and the flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions.

According to the pilot, he executed a full-stall landing, and during the landing roll, the aircraft moved to the right side of the runway where its right main gear hit a pool of water on the runway surface. This pulled the aircraft further to the right, and the pilot was unable to keep it from departing the right side of the runway. After departing the runway, the aircraft entered an area of soft dirt and flipped over.

A review of the pilot's log revealed that he had been receiving dual instruction in the aircraft for about 60 days prior to the accident. During that period of time, he had logged over 220 landings, and had received his conventional gear/ tailwheel endorsement after a flight that had occurred earlier on the day of the accident.