Piper PA-25-235 N7329Z

Summary

On 13 March 2013 at about 17:30 local time, a Piper PA-25-235 registered N7329Z, operated by Tampa Bay Soaring Society Inc, was involved in an accident near Groveland, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 2013 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Groveland, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Seminole Lake Gliderport (6FL0)

Coordinates

28.4058, -81.8378

Aircraft

Piper PA-25-235

Registration

N7329Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Tampa Bay Soaring Society Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Glider Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Groveland → Groveland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13CA164

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a tailwind approach, his improper decision to continue a fast approach with a tailwind rather than go around, and his improper use of the wheel brakes during the landing roll.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting glider-tow operations, which were departing into the wind; the gliders were then landing in the opposite direction with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider tow and release, the airplane was returning to the airport to conduct a second glider tow. While turning to the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power and increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast" about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing; no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal airplane operation were observed, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.