Amateur-built 4 Place N108YZ accident near Sanford, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind, which resulted in a nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot/builder of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he had flown a few times around the airport traffic pattern and was preparing for a full stop landing. After touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied right rudder; however, he ran out of rudder authority due to the crosswind conditions that prevailed. He applied right brake to prevent a runway excursion; however, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane’s fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident would have been prevented if he had more crosswind handling training.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA278 for the full record.