Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he entered a right traffic pattern for runway 19; on his first approach he noted that he was going to overshoot the runway and executed a go-around procedure. On his second attempt after he touched down on the runway, he reported a "radical" right quartering tail wind that pushed the airplane to the left of the runway. The airplane's left main tire departed the asphalt surface, the pilot then attempted a go-around by advancing the throttle to full and decreasing the flaps to 50 percent. The pilot stated that he was not gaining lift and the stall warning horn was audible. Subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch and bounced about 10 feet which resulted in substantial damage to the spar carry-through on the bottom of the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he entered a right traffic pattern for runway 19; on his first approach he noted that he was going to overshoot the runway and executed a go-around procedure. On his second attempt after he touched down on the runway, he reported a "radical" right quartering tail wind that pushed the airplane to the left of the runway. The airplane's left main tire departed the asphalt surface, the pilot then attempted a go-around by advancing the throttle to full and decreasing the flaps to 50 percent. The pilot stated that he was not gaining lift and the stall warning horn was audible. Subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch and bounced about 10 feet which resulted in substantial damage to the spar carry-through on the bottom of the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.