Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER N56FD

Summary

On 11 March 2017 at about 21:45 local time, a Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER registered N56FD was involved in an accident near Minden, Nevada, 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

11 March 2017 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Minden, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Minden-Tahoe (MEV)

Coordinates

38.9992, -119.7519

Aircraft

Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER

Registration

N56FD

Category

Glider

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Minden → Minden

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA190

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in variable wind conditions.

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, during touchdown, the airplane "weathervaned to the left and full right rudder could not keep it on the runway." Subsequently, the main landing gear dug into the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.