Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA01LA119

Zillah, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N39RS

Shaub EAA Biplane (P-2)

Analysis

The pilot submitted a written statement to the NTSB dated June 28, and reported that the airplane touched down, in a three-point attitude, approximately 600-700 feet beyond the landing threshold of the eastbound turf runway. He reported that the airplane's touchdown speed was approximately 70 miles per hour (MPH), and that the runway surface was damp. He stated that shortly after touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the right side of the runway. The pilot applied brakes and corrective actions, however, the airplane continued to drift to the right. The airplane continued off the runway in to a parking area and collided with a temporary air traffic control tower and an unoccupied aircraft (Cessna 175). According to the Seattle Sectional Aeronautical Chart, 61st edition, the runway is 2,000 feet in length. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from the west at 10 MPH.

Factual Information

On June 16, 2001, about 0745 Pacific daylight time, a Shaub EAA Biplane (P-2), N39RS, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a parked aircraft while landing at a private airstrip near Zillah, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, and a bystander sustained minor injuries. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The pilot submitted a written statement to the NTSB dated June 28, and reported that the airplane touched down, in a three-point attitude, approximately 600-700 feet beyond the landing threshold of the eastbound turf runway. He reported that the airplane's touchdown speed was approximately 70 miles per hour (MPH), and that the runway surface was damp. He stated that shortly after touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the right side of the runway. The pilot applied brakes and corrective actions, however, the airplane continued to drift to the right. The airplane continued off the runway into a parking area and collided with a temporary air traffic control tower and an unoccupied aircraft (Cessna 175). According to the Seattle Sectional Aeronautical Chart, 61st edition, the runway is 2,000 feet in length. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from the west at 10 MPH. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the upper and lower wings.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was a tailwind.

 

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