Accident Details
On an unspecified date, a private pilot and co-owner of a tailwheel-equipped airplane performed an overflight of a non-towered, paved airport to assess wind conditions. The pilot determined the wind was from the northwest at about 6 to 8 knots. He then flew a traffic pattern for landing on runway 26, which was 75 feet wide.
During the landing flare, the airplane began to drift left of the runway centerline. At touchdown, the tail of the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to correct the airplane's path and then initiated a go-around. After adding full power, the airplane was heading to the right at an estimated angle of about 45 degrees from the runway alignment. Before becoming airborne, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck a low earthen berm.
The impact resulted in damage and ended the takeoff attempt. The airplane came to rest upright. The right main landing gear fracture-separated from the fuselage. Additional damage included a bent propeller, a crushed nose cowl, crush damage to the lower fuselage, and bending and crush damage to both wings. There was no fire. Neither the pilot nor his passenger was injured, and both exited via the right-side cabin door.
Meteorological Information
No recorded meteorological data was available for the accident airport. Review of data from an airport about 10 miles north indicated conditions similar to what the pilot reported.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported approximately 2,000 hours of total flight experience, including about 30 hours in the accident airplane make and model in the past 30 days. He stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies or failures that contributed to the accident, but he was uncertain as to exactly why he lost directional control.