Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing with strong gusty surface winds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown, the “nose pitched up” and caused the right wing to stall. The airplane fell and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 18 with winds directly down the runway at 14 knots, gusting to 25 knots.