The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped Cessna 170 reported that, during the landing roll at the airport in Martinsville, Virginia, the airplane veered left of centerline. He attempted to correct with right brake input, but was unsuccessful.
The airplane continued to veer off the runway to the left, ground looped, and the right wing hit the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 120° at 4 knots. The airplane landed on Runway 30.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA091
This December 2016 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
But, why not land on rwy 12 and avoid the tailwind ? Maybe, like the airport I fly out of, calm winds are up to 4 kts. Some of my friends flying an RV6, will wait until the pattern is clear, and land into the 4kt wind.
Looks like a downwind landing, although the wind was not strong. Still, it makes for a “surprise” almost everything someone tries landing downwind, tailwheel or not.
I’ve been landing downwind on my narrow, one-way strip for years. Sometimes that’s just the way it is, and there are methods one can employ with a taildragger to minimize the risk.
Essentially, if one can’t deal with four knots on the tail in a benign 170, one should fly a nose dragger. It’s a shame what happens to good airplanes with bad pilots. Sorry…but them’s the facts.
Well spoken Manny.