On May 16, 1987, a Cessna 120 (registration N2106V) was involved in an aviation accident near Oklawaha, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft registered N2106V. Photo: Ian Kirk from Broadstone, Dorset, UK / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During landing roll, a tailwheel aircraft nosed over after its main gear struck a 4-inch deep puddle of standing water on a clay and grass airstrip. The pilot reported not seeing the water due to poor lighting at dusk.
Accident Details
A thunderstorm had recently passed over a home airstrip constructed of clay and grass, leaving a puddle of standing water approximately 4 inches deep on a portion of the runway.
Sequence of Events
During the landing roll, just before the tailwheel contacted the runway, the main landing gear encountered the puddle. The aircraft then pitched up onto its nose and subsequently overturned onto its back.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the accident occurred at dusk, when lighting conditions were poor. He reported that he did not see the water until it was too late to avoid it. The pilot also noted that he was uncertain, but suggested that the accident might have been prevented if he had activated the landing light prior to landing.
