On January 31, 1998, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N5975Z) was involved in an aviation accident near New Smyrna Bch, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a wheel landing with full flaps in a crosswind, the airplane yawed right after touchdown. The pilot attempted a go-around with full left rudder but the aircraft veered left and came to rest on grass with substantial damage.
Accident Details
The pilot entered the traffic pattern. Due to heavy traffic in the pattern, he elected to land on the runway in use, rather than a runway that was more aligned with the wind. The pilot performed a wheel landing with full flaps extended. After touchdown, with a crosswind from the right, the airplane yawed to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and full power to go around. However, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot then aborted the takeoff. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on grass adjacent to the runway with substantial damage.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he should have landed first with the right main and tailwheel to maintain directional control in the crosswind.
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