Accident Details
A private pilot departed his home airport in a tailwheel-equipped high-wing airplane. The destination airport had a single paved runway measuring 4,300 feet by 60 feet. According to the pilot and a ground witness, the runway was plowed full width, but about 1/2-inch of snow covered the runway surface, while about 18 inches of snow lay on the terrain adjacent to the runway.
Landing and Event Sequence
The landing approach to runway 30 was described as normal. The airplane touched down in a three-point attitude near the threshold and on the runway centerline. After touchdown, the airplane became airborne again, drifted to the right, and touched down off the runway in the deeper snow. The pilot added power to recover, but the airplane's main wheels sank into the snow, causing the airplane to nose over onto its back.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained damage to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and to one wing.
Pilot Comments and Wind Conditions
The pilot noted that no mechanical malfunction or failure contributed to the accident. He stated that the airplane was upset by a wind gust and that, had he been aware of any gusts prior to landing, he would have conducted a wheel landing instead of a three-point landing. The Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3) recommends wheel landings in turbulence or crosswinds.
The only airport windsock was located about midfield on the southwest side of the runway. Based on windsock observations, the pilot and ground witness estimated the wind at the time was about 6 to 8 knots from the south or southwest. Witnesses familiar with the airport reported that the windsock generally provided reliable wind indications, but trees partially sheltered it from south/southwest winds, so those winds were not always accurately indicated.