Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor in the accident was the close proximity of the drainage ditch to the edge of the private airstrip's runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that after landing and getting the tailwheel on the ground the airplane began to drift to the right. The pilot corrected to the left and managed to get the airplane back to the center of the runway, but the airplane continued to the left as the pilot was late in getting the stick far enough forward to unlock the tailwheel. The pilot stated, "...I was on the [left] edge of the runway, which is the edge of the ditch. I started to add power to go around, but the left [landing] gear fell off the edge of the drain pulling the plane into the ditch." The pilot reported that at the time of the landing the wind was calm.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that after landing and getting the tailwheel on the ground the airplane began to drift to the right. The pilot corrected to the left and managed to get the airplane back to the center of the runway, but the airplane continued to the left as the pilot was late in getting the stick far enough forward to unlock the tailwheel. The pilot stated, "...I was on the [left] edge of the runway, which is the edge of the ditch. I started to add power to go around, but the left [landing] gear fell off the edge of the drain pulling the plane into the ditch." The pilot reported that at the time of the landing the wind was calm.