Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land with a high tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot took off in the tailwheel-equipped airplane and noted that the wind velocity was higher than expected, so he elected to return to the departure strip. The pilot reported that the wind produced a 12- to 15-mph tailwind for landing and that the combined effects of the tailwind and excessive airspeed caused the airplane’s tail to immediately begin to rise after touchdown. After rolling about 20 feet, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot said that the accident could have been prevented if he had flown in less windy conditions and that he should have executed a go-around.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11LA384 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 15, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oakesdale, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Private Dirt Strip
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B
- N-number
- N6628Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
Other records under this N-number
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.