Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing, he encountered a gust of wind and the airplane weathervaned violently. He attempted to correct the movement with the use of brake, but the airplane veered off the runway about 150 feet into sand and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.