What happened
During the landing roll, the pilot encountered a gust of wind that caused the aircraft to sway laterally. Despite applying right rudder input to maintain runway alignment, the aircraft continued to swerve left and right. The pilot was unable to keep the aircraft on the paved surface, resulting in a departure from the runway. The aircraft subsequently collided with a ditch located adjacent to the runway.
The investigation
Following the accident, the pilot inspected the tailwheel assembly for mechanical issues. He reported that the tailwheel was unduly stiff, which he believed resulted in weak to non-existent control authority over the tailwheel steering mechanism. There were no prior reports of similar problems with the tailwheel system before this event.
Findings
The loss of directional control during the landing roll was primarily attributed to the mechanical condition of the tailwheel. The excessive stiffness prevented effective steering response, particularly when combined with the lateral force from the wind gust. This mechanical limitation rendered the pilot unable to correct the aircraft's trajectory, leading to the runway excursion.
Safety message
Regular inspection and maintenance of tailwheel mechanisms are critical for ensuring adequate control authority during ground operations. Pilots should be aware that stiffness or binding in the tailwheel can significantly impair steering capability, especially in crosswind conditions.