Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft and his poor inflight decision to attempt a downwind landing at the 975 foot airfield. A factor was the tail wind condition which existed at the airfield at the time
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was attempting a downwind landing at the 975 foot long sod strip. He stated that he was fast on the approach, and after applying heavy braking to stop the aircraft, it nosed over inverted
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 20, 1993, at about 1100 central daylight time, a Belanca GC-BC, N2590Z, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain, during landing at a private, sod airfield in Panama City, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was owned and being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Roberts and Buchannon, Inc. of Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local banner tow flight. The pilot stated that he was attempting a downwind landing at the 900 foot sod airfield. He stated that he was fast on the approach, and after applying heavy braking to stop the aircraft, it nosed over inverted. -