Aircraft Overturns During Landing Due to Wind Shift

Casualties unknown • Pacific City, OR, US

An aircraft overturned during a landing attempt after a sudden wind shift transitioned a headwind into a tailwind, leaving the pilot with insufficient runway to stop.

What happened

While attempting to land to the northwest on an 1,875-foot-long runway, the pilot experienced a sudden change in wind conditions. At the moment of touchdown, the wind shifted from a quartering headwind to a tailwind.

The pilot reported that he attempted to use heavy braking to decelerate; however, he stated that the brakes faded to nothing. Faced with insufficient remaining runway to either come to a complete stop or execute a go-around while maintaining obstacle clearance, the pilot intentionally swerved the airplane. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft flipping over.

At the time of the accident, weather stations in the vicinity reported winds from the south to the southwest at speeds ranging from 5 to 18 knots. The airport features a single northeast/southwest runway that is available for landings in either direction, though the threshold is displaced by 300 feet for landings toward the southeast.

Probable cause

A sudden wind shift from a quartering headwind to a tailwind at touchdown, combined with the pilot's decision to swerve the aircraft to avoid obstacles after experiencing brake fade.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-07-15 Piper PA-22-160 accident near Pacific City, OR?

An aircraft overturned during a landing attempt after a sudden wind shift transitioned a headwind into a tailwind, leaving the pilot with insufficient runway to stop.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-07-15 involved a Piper PA-22-160, registration N9199D, at Pacific City, OR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A sudden wind shift from a quartering headwind to a tailwind at touchdown, combined with the pilot's decision to swerve the aircraft to avoid obstacles after experiencing brake fade.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10718. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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