GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B

Full Narrative

On August 15, 2011, about 0715 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N6628Q, nosed over during landing at a private airstrip outside of Oakesdale, Washington. Fender Air Service, Inc., owned and operated the airplane as an aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, empennage, and firewall. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight.

The pilot reported that he was flying from one landing strip to another; however, the wind velocity was higher than expected after takeoff. He elected to return to the departure strip so that he could call the other location to check the current wind conditions. The pilot reported that the wind was blowing out of the south-southwest, which favored a 12- to 15-mile-per-hour tailwind.

While landing the tail wheel equipped airplane, the pilot stated that due to the tailwind and excessive airspeed the airplane’s tail immediately began coming up after touchdown. After 20 feet of roll, it nosed over and came to rest inverted.