Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing due to animals unexpectedly running onto the runway.
NTSB analysis
The pilot, who was located in the front seat of the tail wheel equipped airplane, had just completed two uneventful full stop landings at the private grass airstrip. The pilot in the rear seat then took the controls, and departed with the intention of performing a full stop landing. The rear seated pilot stated that during the landing, cattle ran from behind a line of trees, and onto the runway. He did not have enough separation from the cattle to perform a go-around, so he aggressively applied the brakes. The airplane subsequently nosed over causing substantial damage to the wings.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA456 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 18, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mcarthur, California
- Nearest airport
- Oilar Private Airstrip (PVT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C
- N-number
- N82PL
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.