Incident Overview
A Cessna 170B with tailwheel landing gear was involved in a landing incident on runway 16, a 2,900-foot asphalt strip. The pilot, with 61 total flight hours, had recently acquired the aircraft and logged about 13 hours in tailwheel types.
Sequence of Events
During the approach, the aircraft drifted to the right of the runway centerline. At touchdown, the aircraft bounced and the tail kicked to the right. A second bounce occurred, followed by a third bounce during which the right tire deflated. Subsequently, the aircraft skipped down the runway while veering left, eventually coming to rest perpendicular to the centerline on the far left side of the runway.
Pilot Remarks
The pilot noted that he had not previously encountered crosswind or gusty conditions of the magnitude present during this landing. He also confirmed that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft.
Environmental Conditions
Wind at a nearby airport was 220 degrees magnetic at 12 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The runway orientation was 16, and the surface was asphalt.
Damage
The right tire was deflated as a result of the incident.