Cessna 195B N2147C accident near Portales, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to take off with a quartering tailwind and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper elevator control inputs during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff there was a left crosswind and he applied controls to counter the crosswind; the takeoff roll was normal, and the airplane remained on the runway centerline until just before it became airborne. He said the airplane then veered to the right and exited the right side of the runway, where he moved the throttle to idle and applied maximum braking.

Witnesses observed the airplane taxiing to takeoff and noted there would be a left quartering tailwind during takeoff. They videoed the takeoff, and the recording showed the airplane accelerating on the runway with the elevator near the full trailing-edge-up position, forcing the tail onto the runway during the takeoff roll. The video also captured the windsock by the runway, indicating the quartering tailwind. The video showed the airplane became airborne in a somewhat nose-high attitude and it climbed about 5 ft above the ground to the right of the runway when the pilot brought the throttle to idle. The airplane subsequently descended, resulting in a hard landing beside the runway. The landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage.

The Airplane Flying Handbook, Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes, states “as the airplane accelerates, the pilot smoothly decreases the pitch attitude and adjusts aileron and rudder control pressures to maintain the appropriate crosswind correction. If the pitch attitude remains excessively steep or if it is too flat, crosswind control during the ground roll becomes more difficult.” It also states that although tailwheel airplanes can be lifted off in a three-point attitude, this technique results in an unusually high pitch attitude and an angle of attack excessively close to stall. The pilot’s decision to maintain the tailwheel on the runway throughout the takeoff roll likely made directional control more difficult with the quartering tailwind.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA125 for the full record.