Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN G164 near Trenton, NC — 2015-08-13

Final reportERA15LA314
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Date
2015-08-13
Location
Trenton, NC, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
GRUMMAN G164
Registration
N5277
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a tailwind and his subsequent application of excessive braking, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, following an agricultural application flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he chose to land toward the northwest on a private landing area. He reported that he made this decision based on power lines on the approach end and that landing in that direction precluded the option of a balked landing; however, photographs taken at the accident scene revealed that no power line crossed the extended runway centerline. The pilot made a three-point landing and applied the brakes; however, he noted no braking action. The pilot then released and reapplied the brakes, and the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. A witness reported that, as the airplane was landing, he saw smoke coming from the tires. Postaccident examination of the brakes revealed no mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded wind information from nearby airports indicated that the airplane likely landed with up to a 9-knot tailwind. Although numerous tire skid marks were noted on the paved landing area, it could not be determined which, if any, of those marks were caused by the accident airplane. However, given the witness statement indicating that he saw smoke coming from the tires after landing and the airplane's subsequent nose-over, it is likely that the pilot applied excessive braking action. Therefore, it is likely that the airplane was landing with excessive speed due to the tailwind and that the pilot subsequently applied excessive braking to slow the airplane before reaching the end of the runway, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest inverted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a different landing area or approach to avoid obstacles.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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