What happened
The pilot was attempting to land the aircraft with a left quartering headwind. While the initial touchdown was reported as normal, the aircraft began to weathervane to the left toward the wind as the tail wheel was lowered. In an attempt to correct the direction, the pilot applied full right pedal and initiated a go-around.
During the maneuver, the aircraft lifted off the ground but turned downwind and subsequently lost lift. The airplane impacted a drainage ditch area located parallel to the runway.
The investigation
The investigation identified that drainage ditches and levees run along both sides of the runway for its entire length. These ditches are approximately 12 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet deep, situated roughly 90 feet from the runway centerline. Beyond the ditches, levees are located approximately 20 feet further out.
According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5300-13 regarding runway and taxiway design, the Object Free Area for this airport is designated as 200 feet on either side of the runway centerline. The circular also requires an Obstacle Free Zone of 125 feet on each side of the centerline, stipulating that obstacles within this zone should not exceed 3 inches above grade. However, the sides of the ditches and the levee at the accident site rise approximately 3 feet above grade.