Accident Details
The pilot of a tail wheel equipped airplane was landing on runway 4R with a right quartering tailwind. The wind was reported from 140 to 220 degrees at 7 to 14 knots. During the landing, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot applied rudder, aileron, and brakes in an attempt to realign the airplane, but these inputs were ineffective.
To abort the landing, the pilot applied full power. However, the engine hesitated during the rapid throttle application, and the left main landing gear subsequently collapsed. The airplane's carburetor was not equipped with an accelerating pump; without such a pump, an engine can experience hesitation when the throttle is advanced rapidly.
Investigation Findings
No anomalies were noted with the engine or the airframe that would have prevented their normal operation. The pilot held a tail wheel endorsement and had accumulated 69 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.