Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA96LA179

CULBERTSON, MT, USA

Aircraft #1

CGYYF

Stinson 108-3

Analysis

While attempting to land in strong, gusty crosswinds, the pilot was unable to keep the aircraft from departing the runway. After it departed the runway, the pilot attempted to complete the roll-out on the grassy area that ran along the side of the runway, but the aircraft was hit by a strong gust and nosed over.

Factual Information

On August 5, 1996, approximately 1830 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, C-GYYF, registered to and being flown by a Canadian private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control and subsequent nose over during the landing roll at the Culbertson Airport, Culbertson, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot reported that on the leg from Wahpeton, North Dakota, to Poplar, Montana, she encountered strong headwinds and turbulence, and therefore decided to return to Culbertson to land. Upon arrival at Culbertson, she encountered strong, gusty wind conditions. While landing on runway 26, the aircraft was hit by the gusty crosswinds and departed the runway. While the pilot was attempting to complete the roll-out on the grassy area that ran along the side of the runway, the aircraft was hit by another gust and nosed over. Strong, gusty winds prevailed throughout northeastern Montana at the time of the accident, and according to the pilot, the winds at Culbertson were gusting to 40 knots at the time of her landing.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control; and her inadequate remedial action for gusty winds after the aircraft departed the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the strong and gusty crosswinds.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports