Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-11, N78641; accident occurred June 05, 2019 at Paducah Airport (2TS5), Cottle County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N78641

Location: Paducah, TX
Accident Number: GAA19CA317
Date & Time: 06/05/2019, 1120 CDT
Registration: N78641
Aircraft: Piper PA 11
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was concerned about the condition of the landing and taxi surfaces of the private, grass airstrip due to heavy rainfall. He overflew the field but was unable to determine the condition. He determined that it would be safer to land on a road perpendicular to the runway. Upon landing on the road, the airplane suddenly veered right. The pilot applied opposite rudder, but the airplane exited the road and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut and rudder.

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

The pilot reported that the wind was from 360° at 7 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane to the west. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing on a road in crosswind conditions, which resulted in the airplane exiting the road and subsequently nosing over.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)
Rough terrain - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Engineer
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s):Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/15/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/04/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 7000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 36 hours (Total, this make and model), 4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N78641
Model/Series: PA 11 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 11-1402
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1349 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1547.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-200-A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 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: KCDS, 1951 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 24 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1653 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 5°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 10000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 340°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.88 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lubbock, TX (LBB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Paducah, TX (2TS5)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 1015 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Paducah (2TS5)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1981 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Rough; Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary Landing 

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: 34.021111, -100.327500 (est)