Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind resulting in a loss of directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot elected to land the tailwheel airplane on runway 17. During the landing rollout the airplane became airborne, swerved right, and again contacted the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and subsequently the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest on its left side and the pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. Around the time of the accident, the automated weather observing system at the accident airport reported the winds to be varying from 050 to 090 degrees at 13 gusting to 17 knots. A review of airport information revealed that runway 03 was available for use at the time. There were no reported mechanical malfunctions with the airplane's flight controls.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot elected to land the tailwheel equipped airplane on runway 17. During the landing rollout the airplane became airborne, swerved right, and again contacted the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and subsequently the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest on its left side and the pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. Around the time of the accident, the automated weather observing system at the accident airport reported the winds to be varying from 050 to 090 degrees at 13 gusting to 17 knots. A review of airport information revealed that runway 03 was available for use at the time. There were no reported mechanical malfunctions with the airplane's flight controls.