NTSB Factual Report

On December 30, 2003, about 1310 Pacific standard time, a tail-wheel equipped Bellanca 8KCAB (Super Decathlon), N727MR, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed-over during landing at the Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, Oregon. The airplane is owned by Tail Wheel Excursion, LLC, and was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had been activated for the flight that originated from Hillsboro, Oregon, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, on January 29, and a subsequent written statement dated January 30, the pilot reported that just after landing on runway 16 (wheel landing), and after reducing engine power to idle, the aircraft began to track to the left. The pilot reported that he applied right rudder and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the left of centerline. The airplane eventually exited the runway edge, encountered a two-foot snow bank, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar assembly.

The pilot reported that the landing runway (16) was "extremely icy" at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Directional control not maintained during landing. Factors include an icy runway and a snow bank.