Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to obtain updated weather information while practicing takeoffs and landings and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot in the tailwheel gear-equipped airplane reported that he had accomplished a wheel landing on runway 27. During the landing roll, the tailwheel contacted the ground and the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right. The pilot recalled that the right aileron was into the wind and with left rudder and no power applied. The right wing ascended and the airplane began to weathervane. He added full engine power and full left rudder. The right main descended back to the ground but the airplane exited the runway to the right. The airplane encountered a berm and became airborne. The airplane descended back to the ground and spun about the nose to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and the left main landing gear attachment points.
The METAR reported that about the time of the accident, wind was from 350 ° at 15 kts. gusting to 22 kts. The crosswind component was 18 kts.
Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot remarked that the accident could have been prevented by setting personal limitations and by checking the Automatic Terminal Information System every 2 patterns.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA271