Casualties unknown

2004-02-28: Cessna 120 (N3029N) — Don Brand — Red Bluff, CA

Red Bluff, CA, US

On February 28, 2004, a Cessna 120 (registration N3029N) operated by Don Brand was involved in an aviation accident near Red Bluff, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a narrow runway. A contributing factor were the gusty tailwind conditions. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted after losing directional control during landing on a narrow private runway with a quartering tailwind.

Incident Summary

A single-engine airplane was landing on a private runway approximately 20 feet wide when it experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane veered off the runway, encountered soft terrain, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

Sequence of Events

During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a quartering tailwind. As it traveled down the runway, it veered to the left. The pilot applied rudder inputs in an attempt to maintain directional control, but was unable to keep the airplane on the runway surface. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and entered an area of soft, muddy terrain. The landing gear sank into the mud, causing the airplane to nose over. It then came to rest upside down.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The loss of directional control was attributed to the quartering tailwind and the narrow runway width, although the exact cause was not determined in the report.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040308X00289. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.