On March 26, 1984, a Cessna A188B (registration N4841Q) operated by Thompson Flying Service Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Mcgehee, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to perform a wheel landing on an unimproved strip where variable winds caused the aircraft to nosed over while nearly stopped. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot executed a wheel landing on an unpaved strip. As speed decreased and the tail was lowered, strong variable winds caused the aircraft to nosed over while nearly stopped.
What happened
The pilot reported performing a wheel landing on an unimproved grass strip. During the rollout, as forward momentum diminished, the pilot lowered the tail section of the aircraft to the ground. The aircraft was nearly stationary when the tail abruptly lifted upward, causing the nose to pitch down and strike the surface.
Findings
wheel landing on an ag strip
variable winds post-accident
nose-over due to wind gusts
The pilot noted that prior to the incident, winds were from the south at 15 knots. However, for 30 to 40 minutes after the accident, winds became very strong and variable, likely contributing to the tail lifting and subsequent nose-over.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to perform a wheel landing on an unimproved strip where variable winds caused the aircraft to nosed over while nearly stopped.
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