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Tailwind Landing Bounce Precedes Runway Overrun and Nose-Over

Kernville, CA, United States

On February 9, 2015, a CESSNA U206 - G G operated by Richard Schmitt was involved in an aviation accident near Kernville, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain airplane control during the landing with a tailwind which resulted in a bounce, long landing, and subsequent runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane encountered a substantial tailwind during landing, bounced, touched down long, overran the runway, and nosed over onto rough terrain. The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. No preimpact malfunctions were reported.

Incident Details

During the landing approach at an airport, the pilot faced a substantial tailwind. Airport personnel reported the wind as approximately 170 degrees at 25 knots, creating a tailwind component for the landing. The landing sequence involved a bounce, and the airplane touched down further along the runway than normal.

Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway, traveling onto rough terrain before nosing over. The event concluded with the airplane inverted on uneven ground.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. No issues were noted with the aircraft's systems or controls prior to the landing attempt.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage as a result of the overrun and nose-over. The extent of the damage indicates significant structural impact.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotLanding flare — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on equipment
Runway excursion

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Feb 2015 CESSNA U206 - G G accident near Kernville, CA?

An airplane encountered a substantial tailwind during landing, bounced, touched down long, overran the runway, and nosed over onto rough terrain. The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. No preimpact malfunctions were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 9 Feb 2015 CESSNA U206 - G G accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Feb 2015 involved a CESSNA U206 - G G, operated by Richard Schmitt, at Kernville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain airplane control during the landing with a tailwind which resulted in a bounce, long landing, and subsequent runway excursion.

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