SonexBuilders.net

Hi all,
Just caught this on www.kathrynsreport.com. Dated 13 mar 17. Incident in minden nv. Sat mar 11.
Frank davis and xenos. Report says flipped over on landing. Jab 3300. Anyone have any further info.?
Report lists minor injuries and damage. Article on frank and his xenos may 2014 SBPF newsletter.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

That was me. This is the statement I gave the FAA:

"Departed Minden-Tahoe Airport (KMEV) at approximately 1330 11 March 2017 for a solo local VFR pleasure/proficiency flight. Prior to departure checked Intellicast on-line weather forecast which showed winds remaining light all afternoon for the Minden area. On takeoff the winds were calm. After several minutes returned to shoot some landings on Runway 34. Made two normal touch-and-goes. Stayed in closed traffic and noticed a cross wind from the west had come up that required a crab angle to fly parallel to the runway. On touchdown the aircraft weathervaned to the left and I could not keep it on the runway. Due to recent rain and snow the ground was very soft, the main gear dug in and the aircraft flipped over on its back.

Exited the aircraft through the shattered canopy and was mobile. Had minor bruises and cuts/scrapes and soreness in the shoulder area of the back. Declined the EMT's required offer to be taken to the hospital."

Checking AWOS records which logs observations every 5 minutes showed (PST -8):
2140 360/3
2145 250/12g16
2150 260/15g19

IF I had landed 5 minutes sooner, IF the ground wasn't soft, IF my skills were better.......................Frank

Glad you're alright. That wind sure picked up fast. I've noticed that 20 knot crosswinds in my taildragger Sonex are no joke. My tailwheel occasionally loses traction even while taxiing in such winds. I have the small RV tailwheel and Kip's bracket. Skill helps, but I think the realistic limits of my Sonex are close to what you experienced.

I've never felt close to the aerodynamic limits with rudder and ailerons on short final in such winds, so I wonder if a different tailwheel might resist sliding better. Did you lose control at low speed?

Frank,
Thanks for checking in and for the lowdown on what happened.

Mark

ffdavis wrote:That was me.

Really glad you're OK! I had a prop strike last year due to some errant winds of unexpected velocity. I hope your plane is repairable.