Aircraft nosed over into canal following wing strike

Casualties unknown • Palacios, TX, US

A pilot experienced an aircraft nose-over into a canal after the left wing struck tall weeds during the landing flare.

What happened

During the landing flare, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with tall weeds located adjacent to the landing area. The pilot reported that a slight crosswind from the left had caused the airplane to drift slightly to the right. In an attempt to correct for this drift, the pilot lowered the left wing, which subsequently struck the vegetation.

Following the wing strike, the aircraft exited the left side of the airstrip. The momentum carried the plane up a canal bank, where it turned 90 degrees to the left and nosed over into the canal. The pilot noted that they had performed a landing in this same location several weeks prior and was unaware that the grass had grown to such a height since that time.

Findings

There were no injuries reported following the incident.

Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to correct for a left crosswind by lowering the left wing resulted in the wing striking tall weeds, causing the aircraft to exit the airstrip and nose over into a canal.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-05-21 Piper PA-18-150 accident near Palacios, TX?

A pilot experienced an aircraft nose-over into a canal after the left wing struck tall weeds during the landing flare.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-05-21 involved a Piper PA-18-150, registration N9670P, at Palacios, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's attempt to correct for a left crosswind by lowering the left wing resulted in the wing striking tall weeds, causing the aircraft to exit the airstrip and nose over into a canal.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18780. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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