Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 36. While on his third approach after making two landings, he noticed that the windsock was now favoring runway 18 and that the wind was gusting. He performed a go-around and made an approach to runway 18. After a conventional (tailwheel) landing, the airplane’s left wing started to rise and the tail swung to the right. The pilot applied left rudder, but the tail continued to the right. The right main gear buckled and the right wing struck the runway. The wing was crushed from the strut to the tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot's accident report, he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 36. After making two landings and while on his third approach, he noticed that the wind sock had changed and was now favoring runway 18. He performed a go-around and made an approach to runway 18. The pilot said the wind was gusty and after making a conventional (tail wheel) landing, the left wing started to rise and the tail swung to the right. The pilot applied left rudder, but the tail continued to the right. The right main gear buckled and the right wing struck the runway. The wing was crushed from the strut to the tip.