No fatalities

29 Jan 2019: EMMET SMITH ROADRUNNER — Truckee, CA

Truckee, CA, United States

On 29 Jan 2019, an EMMET SMITH ROADRUNNER was involved in an aviation accident near Truckee, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to allow the airplane to exit the runway onto a snow-covered field, which resulted in a nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During landing roll, a tailwheel airplane ground-looped, veered right, and the pilot intentionally exited the runway into snow, which was softer than expected, causing the airplane to nose over.

Accident Details

A pilot reported that during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to ground loop to the left. The pilot applied opposite rudder and aileron, regaining control, but the airplane then started to veer to the right. As the airplane moved toward the edge of the runway, the pilot assumed that the snow on the adjacent field was compacted and would effectively slow the airplane. Consequently, the pilot allowed the airplane to exit the runway to the right. However, the snow was "softer than [he] anticipated," and the airplane nosed over.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

The automated weather observation system at the accident airport, around the time of the accident, reported wind from 020° at 3 knots. The airplane had landed on runway 20.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Decision related to condition