WPR11LA384

The pilot took off in the tailwheel-equipped airplane and noted that the wind velocity was higher than expected, so he elected to return to the departure strip. The pilot reported that the wind produced a 12- to 15-mph tailwind for landing and that the combined effects of the tailwind and excessive airspeed caused the airplane’s tail to immediately begin to rise after touchdown. After rolling about 20 feet, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot said that the accident could have been prevented if he had flown in less windy conditions and that he should have executed a go-around.

On August 15, 2011, about 0715 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N6628Q, nosed over during landing at a private airstrip outside of Oakesdale, Washington. Fender Air Service, Inc., owned and operated the airplane as an aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, empennage, and firewall. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The pilot reported that he was flying from one landing strip to another; however, the wind velocity was higher than expected after takeoff. He elected to return to the departure strip so that he could call the other location to check the current wind conditions. The pilot reported that the wind was blowing out of the south-southwest, which favored a 12- to 15-mile-per-hour tailwind. While landing the tail wheel equipped airplane, the pilot stated that due to the tailwind and excessive airspeed the airplane’s tail immediately began coming up after touchdown. After 20 feet of roll, it nosed over and came to rest inverted.