On October 9, 2004, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N5529K) was involved in an aviation accident near Hearne, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a hay bale and subsequent nose-over of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A commercial pilot taxiing a tail-wheel equipped airplane in quartering tailwind conditions lost directional control, striking a hay bale and causing the aircraft to invert.
What happened
The incident occurred while a commercial pilot was operating a tail-wheel equipped airplane on the ground. At the time of the event, the pilot was taxiing at an approximate speed of 30 knots. Environmental conditions included an 8-knot quartering tailwind, which likely contributed to directional stability challenges common in this class of aircraft.
During the taxi operation, the airplane deviated from the paved surface and veered to the left side of the runway. While off the runway, the aircraft collided with a stationary hay bale located near the edge of the airfield. The force of the impact was significant enough to destabilize the aircraft's orientation on its main wheels.
Following the collision, the airplane pitched forward over its nose gear. The momentum caused the aircraft to flip completely upside down. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position on the ground. No further details regarding injuries or specific damage extent were provided in the source record.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a hay bale and subsequent nose-over of the aircraft.