Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during landing the airplane encountered gusty wind and the tailwheel touched down hard. The airplane veered to the right and the pilot applied left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, struck terrain, and came to rest upright. The airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. The wind at the airport around the time of the accident was an 80 degree right crosswind at 17 knots gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and said the accident could have been prevented if he had maintained crosswind aileron control throughout the landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that after the main gear touched down, the airplane encountered a gust of wind which raised the right wing and resulted in a hard touchdown of the tail wheel. The airplane veered to the right and the pilot applied left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, struck terrain, and came to rest upright. The airplane's fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident. The wind at the airport around the time of the accident was an 80 degree right crosswind at 17 knots gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and recommended more emphasis on maintaining crosswind aileron control throughout the landing.