Piper PA 18 N4420Z accident near Red Bluff, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a gravel bar in gusting wind, the "tail seemed to pick up from the wind." Subsequently, the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located about 6 nautical miles west of the accident site reported that, about 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 24 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 360° at 19 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The airplane was landing to the north.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA352 for the full record.