N6578E

On May 25, 2003, at 1745 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F tailwheel-equipped airplane, N6578E, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control while landing at the Guymon Municipal Airport (GUY), near Guymon, Oklahoma. The non-instrument rated private pilot was not injured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hitch Enterprises, Inc., of Guymon, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from GUY approximately 1630.

The pilot reported that he flew a visual approach to runway 18 at GUY. The airplane touched down on the main gear at 65 knots, rolled down the runway, and while at approximately 30 knots, the airplane veered to the left of centerline. The pilot added that the airplane "felt like the tail came around." The airplane traveled for an additional 15 feet before coming to rest 10 feet from the east edge of runway 18.

The 1,136-hour pilot reported to have accumulated a total of 432 hours in the same make and model of airplane.

Examination of the wreckage revealed structural damage to the right wing and the right main landing gear attaching point. No mechanical defects were reported by the pilot and no anomalies were found with the airplane that could have prevented normal flight operations.

The weather observation at GUY, at 1653, reported the winds from 120 degrees at 10 knots.