N18141

On April 7, 2003, approximately 1740 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18 tailwheel-equipped airplane, N18141, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree while landing at a private airstrip near Moran, Texas. The airplane was registered to two private individuals and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from Ranger, Texas, at 1730.

The pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that while landing to the west, the airplane touched down about 10 feet short of the 800-foot grass runway. The airplane bounced, drifted right and struck a 7-foot tall mesquite tree. The aircraft came to rest on its nose, approximately 20 feet past the tree. The pilot added that the left wing tip and aileron were damaged. The right wing leading edge outboard of the wing strut was dented, and the underside of the right wing had several tears in the fabric. The pilot stated that the wind was from 290 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 20 knots.