What happened
During an approach to runway 04 at a private airport, the pilot in the right seat was operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The runway, which consists of an asphalt surface, is 1,200 feet long. The pilot noted that the runway sloped uphill and the aircraft was landing with a slight tailwind. At the time of the accident, the nearest weather station reported winds from 240 degrees at 7 knots.
The pilot in the right seat did not possess a tailwheel endorsement and noted that the right-side position lacked brake pedals. Consequently, the pilot relied on the pilot in the left seat to apply the brakes following touchdown. As the pilot in the left seat applied the brakes during the landing roll, the aircraft veered sharply to the right and departed the runway.
During the excursion, the right main landing gear wheel struck a log, and the right wing made contact with several small trees. The aircraft also experienced a momentary nosedown.
The investigation
The aircraft sustained structural damage at the right main landing gear attach point, as well as damage to the propeller, the left main landing gear strut, and the aft fuselage near the tailwheel attach point.