What happened
The accident occurred while the pilot was attempting to land a tailwheel-equipped airplane in wind conditions ranging from 10 to 16 knots with a crosswind component. During the final phase of the approach, the aircraft bounced several times upon contact with the runway surface. Following the bounces, the airplane began to veer toward the left side of the runway.
In an effort to maintain directional control and correct the deviation, the pilot applied right brake input, left aileron, and right rudder. However, the braking system became unresponsive as the brakes locked up completely. Unable to regain control or stop the aircraft's trajectory, the airplane continued its path until it came to rest in an inverted position on the ground.
The investigation
Post-acc examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have contributed to the accident. The pilot confirmed that the flight controls and systems operated normally prior to the bounce sequence. The primary factor in the outcome was the loss of directional control following the ground contact anomalies.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a loss of directional control during landing due to a combination of crosswind conditions and a bounced landing. The locking of the brakes prevented effective correction, resulting in the aircraft overturning. fuel exhaustion is not cited; the cause is mechanical control loss. 3 fatal injuries are not reported; specific injury status was not detailed in the source text beyond the inversion.
Safety message
Landing a tailwheel aircraft in crosswind conditions requires precise control inputs to prevent bouncing and subsequent loss of directional control. Pilots should be aware that excessive brake application can lead to locking, especially if differential braking is used aggressively to counteract veering tendencies.