Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's misreading of the windsock and subsequent downwind landing. Factors in the accident were the sunglare and tailwind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During approach to a grass airstrip located in mountainous terrain, the sun was directly in the pilot's face and the windsock was in a shadow. The pilot misread the windsock and landed downwind. The airplane overran the runway and nosed over in a soft bog at the end of the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 21, 1997, approximately 1900 Pacific Daylight time, a Cessna T210H, N6922R, being flown by an airline transport pilot ran off the end of the runway at Stehekin, Washington and nosed over. The aircraft received substantial damage. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight, which was personal, had departed Seattle, Washington approximately 1820 for the flight to Stehekin. The pilot stated that as he was approaching the field, the sun was in his face and the airstrip was in shadow. As a result, he misread the wind direction and landed downwind. The airplane overran the end of the runway and was substantially damaged when it nosed over in a soft bog off the end of the runway. -