Accident Overview
The accident occurred during landing on an 8,342-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot was in the process of turning left to enter a taxiway when a gust of wind raised the wing, leading to a loss of directional control. The airplane subsequently impacted a runway marker sign.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, winds at the time were a right quartering headwind of 7 knots with gusts to 19 knots. As the pilot initiated the left turn toward the taxiway, a gust of wind lifted the wing. The pilot reported that he lost directional control, and the airplane collided with a runway marker sign.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right main landing gear, the right side of the fuselage, and the propeller. No other damage was reported.
Pilot and Aircraft Findings
The pilot stated that he was not injured and exited the airplane without assistance. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the scene found no anomalies with the brake system, tail wheel steering, or flight controls.