Amateur-built RV 7 N228MG accident near Langley, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land with a tailwind, which resulted in, landing long, a runway overrun, and impact with a berm and nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that due to the tall trees that surrounded the airport he elected to land to the north with a tailwind because of "less tree obstacles". He further reported that the airplane "touched down too far down the runway". He attempted to stop the airplane from over running the runway, but was unsuccessful. The airplane over ran the runway, impacted a grass berm, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.

According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Advisory Circular (AC) 91-79A. This AC discusses the hazards associated with runway overruns and the effect of a tailwind on landing distance and states in part:

The pilot must be aware of airspeed during the approach and of the targeted reference landing airspeed (VREF)/airspeed, plus wind gust adjustments, over the runway threshold. An excessive approach speed may result in an excessive speed over the runway's threshold, which may result in landing beyond the intended touchdown point as well as a higher speed from which the pilot must bring the airplane to a stop.

The effect of a tailwind on landing distance is significant and is a factor in determining the landing distance required. Given the airplane will land at a particular airspeed, independent of the wind, the principal effect of a tailwind on operational landing distance is the change in the ground speed at which the airplane touches down.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA382 for the full record.