Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing with a tailwind.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was flying in the Homebuilt Showcase during the EAA AirVenture air show. The pilot reported that while landing with a variable tailwind the airplane touched down about 2,500 ft down the runway, bounced, and landed hard. The pilot applied brakes, and the right main tire began to squeal. The airplane departed the landing surface to the left. The right main landing gear collapsed, the nose landing gear separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts and the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA279 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 22, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Wittman (KOSH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built JD-2
- N-number
- N71AW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2010
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Air show
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.