No fatalities

Tailwheel-Equipped Aircraft Departs Runway During Landing (N80622)

Spokane, WA, US

On July 24, 1999, a Globe GC-1B (registration N80622) was involved in an aviation accident near Spokane, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N80622
Aircraft registered N80622. Photo: Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A pilot landing on a 4,500-foot concrete runway reported a gust of wind lifted the left wing, causing the aircraft to skid sideways and depart the runway, resulting in landing gear collapse. No mechanical malfunction was reported.

Event Description

The pilot was landing on a 4,500-foot by 100-foot concrete runway. According to the pilot, during the landing, a gust of wind lifted the left wing and caused the airplane to skid sideways. The airplane departed the right side of the runway approximately 900 feet down the runway, and the landing gear subsequently collapsed.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. The aircraft had no reported issues prior to or during the landing.

Weather Conditions

Winds at the time of the accident were reported as generally down the runway at 3 knots. The pilot indicated that a gust of wind affected the aircraft's handling during the landing roll.

Pilot Experience

The pilot had received a tailwheel endorsement two days before the accident. The accident flight was the pilot's third flight in the accident aircraft without a flight instructor on board.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Jul 1999 Globe GC-1B accident near Spokane, WA?

A pilot landing on a 4,500-foot concrete runway reported a gust of wind lifted the left wing, causing the aircraft to skid sideways and depart the runway, resulting in landing gear collapse. No mechanical malfunction was reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Jul 1999 Globe GC-1B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Jul 1999 involved a Globe GC-1B, registration N80622, at Spokane, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19382. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.