Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, resulting in a runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was practicing takeoffs and landings, and during the last landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the right and the pilot's efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful, resulting in the airplane exiting the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that he was practicing takeoff and landings,and that during the last landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The tail-wheel equipped airplane then veered right and the pilot's efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful, resulting in the airplane departing the runway surface. The airplane subsequently impacted a ditch, sustaining substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. The pilot added that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.