CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC A 1
Milton-Freewater, OR — January 10, 2017
Event Information
| Date | January 10, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA110 |
| Event ID | 20170111X50750 |
| Location | Milton-Freewater, OR |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 45.93611, -118.41222 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC |
| Model | A 1 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's decision to take off from unsuitable terrain with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.
Full Narrative
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while en route the engine had "slight roughness," so he decided to land in an open snow covered field on top of a hill to troubleshoot the issue. The pilot further reported that he was able to resolve the engine issue on the ground and decided to takeoff downhill with a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that he "noticed [wind] gust on the tail," the main landing gear were "sucked down" in a one-foot snow drift, and the airplane nosed over.
The left wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.