Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164A N8372 accident near Bakersfield, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a runway excursion, and a collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, a right quartering tailwind pushed the tail to the left, the airplane exited the dirt strip to the right, where the lower right wing of the bi-plane struck an embankment. The airplane collided with a ditch and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to both the upper and lower left wings.

The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA113 for the full record.