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N7329Z accident description

Florida map... Florida list
Crash location 28.405833°N, 81.837777°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect.
Nearest city Groveland, FL
28.558055°N, 81.851189°W
10.5 miles away
Tail number N7329Z
Accident date 13 Mar 2013
Aircraft type Piper PA-25-235
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

The pilot of the tailwheel airplane reported that the glider-tow operations were departing into the wind on a 3,000-foot long turf runway, and landing in the opposite direction, with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider release, the airplane was returning to the airport for a second glider tow. While turning on to a base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power, which increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast," about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to flip over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a tailwind approach, his improper decision to continue a fast approach with a tailwind rather than go around, and his improper use of the wheel brakes during the landing roll.

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