Stinson L 5G N2581B accident near Beckwourth, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the check pilot's failure to act in a timely manner to prevent the airplane from departing the runway.

NTSB analysis

During a practice touch and go landing on a check flight for a pilot, new to the airplane, the pilot receiving the check lost directional control of the tail wheel equipped airplane on the landing roll and drifted towards the right. The check pilot did not act in a timely manner to prevent the airplane from departing the runway's edge. The airplane subsequently struck a drainage ditch and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilots reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR16CA147 for the full record.