Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he had been airborne about eight tenths of an hour. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot was cleared for a right base entry for runway 34 and made a wheel landing in the conventional-landing-gear-equipped airplane. Prior to the tailwheel touching down on the runway, the airplane veered off to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, damaging the right main landing gear, wing, and elevator. The pilot stated that the winds were light and variable from the northwest at the time of the accident. He also observed small whirlwinds/dust devils at the time of landing. The pilot indicated that he should have transitioned from the wheel landing to 3-point landing sooner before losing rudder authority.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that he had been airborne about eight tenths of an hour. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot was cleared for a right base entry for runway 34 and made a wheel landing in the conventional-landing-gear-equipped airplane. Prior to the tailwheel touching down on the runway, the airplane veered off to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, damaging the right main landing gear, wing, and elevator. The pilot stated that the winds were light and variable from the northwest at the time of the accident. He also observed small whirlwinds/dust devils at the time of landing. In the recommendation on how the accident could have been prevented section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1), the pilot indicated that he should have transitioned from the wheel landing to 3-point landing sooner before losing rudder authority.