Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he made a normal landing in the tailwheel-equipped vintage bi-plane and planned to make a left, mid-field turn onto the taxiway. The wind was calm. When he applied the brakes to slow down, the airplane began to pull to the right and veer off the runway. The pilot applied full left rudder to compensate, but the airplane continued to veer right. As the airplane was about to depart the runway surface into the grass, the pilot increased brake pressure. When the right wheel contacted the grass, the brakes locked up and the tailwheel came off the ground. The airplane rolled forward onto its nose and flipped inverted resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer/rudder, and the right wing “N” strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA024 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 21, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Williamsburg/Jamestown (JGG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Boeing A75N1(PT17)
- N-number
- N300E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1943
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.