Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Christen Eagle II, N960RF: Accident occurred February 14, 2016 in Bell City, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

http://registry.faa.gov/N960RF 

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Baton Rouge FSDO-03


NTSB Identification: GAA16CA131
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 14, 2016 in Bell City, LA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/03/2016
Aircraft: FOXWORTHY ROY CHRISTEN EAGLE, registration: N960RF
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped biplane reported that during takeoff he encountered an "unexpected wind gust." Subsequently, the airplane departed the grass runway to the left into "muddy" terrain. The pilot reported that he reduced the power to idle during the runway excursion, but the airplane sunk into the mud and nosed over. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the top left wing.

About the time of the accident 8 nautical miles northwest of the destination airport, an automated weather observing system reported wind conditions of 170 degrees true at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. 

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over.

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