Taylorcraft F-21, N2004U: Accident occurred May 28, 2018 at Payette Municipal Airport (S75), Idaho

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N2004U

Location: Payette, ID
Accident Number: GAA18CA302
Date & Time: 05/28/2018, 1053 MDT
Registration: N2004U
Aircraft: TAYLORCRAFT AVIATION CORP. F21
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event:
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

According to the student pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he had completed a cross-country flight and aborted the first landing due to crosswind gusts from the left. He also aborted the second landing, but on his third approach about 60 knots, he committed to the landing. Just before touching down, the airplane encountered a left crosswind gust and then touched down oriented 10° left of the runway heading and bounced. The airplane veered right and exited the right side of the runway. He added full power and aborted the landing, but the airspeed was too slow. The airplane remained airborne for 150 ft, landed in a dirt field, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and windscreen.

The student reported that, at the time of the accident, "winds were out of the NW at approximately 11 mph (as indicated by my Garmin Pilot app) with a 6 mph crosswind from the West and gusting." The airplane landed on runway 31.

The nearest METAR, which was 6 miles southwest of the accident site, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 300° at 10 knots.

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

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind and his subsequent failure to maintain airspeed during an aborted landing, which resulted in a collision with terrain and nose-over.

Findings

Aircraft
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Other weather encounter

Landing
Abnormal runway contact
Loss of control on ground

Landing-aborted after touchdown
Nose over/nose down

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 48, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/06/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 37 hours (Total, all aircraft), 27 hours (Total, this make and model), 2 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: TAYLORCRAFT AVIATION CORP.
Registration: N2004U
Model/Series: F21 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: F-1006
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 570 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 115 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KONO, 2193 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1653 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 227°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Payette, ID (S75)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Payette, ID (S75)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0953 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: PAYETTE MUNI (S75)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2228 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  44.094444, -116.903611 (est)