What happened
The accident occurred while the airplane was attempting to land on Runway 31. This runway is characterized by an asphalt surface measuring 2,650 feet in length and 50 feet in width. As the aircraft touched down or rolled out along the pavement, it deviated laterally from the right side of the runway boundary.
Upon leaving the paved surface, the airplane impacted a parked airplane located adjacent to the runway area. The specific location of the parked aircraft relative to the runway edge is not detailed in the available records, but the collision resulted in damage to both aircraft involved.
The investigation
Investigation data included meteorological information from a nearby reporting station. Winds were reported at an airport approximately 15 miles south of the accident site. The wind direction was recorded as 160 degrees with a speed of 5 knots. These conditions suggest light winds from the south-southeast, which did not appear to present significant crosswind challenges for the landing operation.
Findings
The pilot reported having a total of 183 hours of flight experience. However, the pilot's experience with tailwheel-equipped aircraft was extremely limited. The record indicates only 5 hours of time in tail-wheeled airplanes, and all of that experience was accumulated specifically in the PA-18-150 model. This lack of recent or broader tailwheel proficiency may have contributed to the loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Safety message
Pilots operating tailwheel-equipped aircraft must maintain adequate proficiency and currency. The limited experience reported by this pilot highlights the importance of regular practice in tailwheel handling to ensure safe directional control on the ground, particularly during the critical phases of takeoff and landing.