Stearman B75N1 N14GC accident near Vacaville, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over when the right wheel encountered mud.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while practicing stop-and-go landings, the airplane took off, and he then made a standard traffic pattern to land. The airplane touched down on the numbers with both main wheels. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot felt a wind gust from the east, which tipped the left wing down. He attempted to correct with right aileron, but when the wings became level, the right wheel exited the runway surface and sank into mud. The airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA073 for the full record.