Incident
On August 25, 2016, about 1300 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-180 airplane, registration N66898, departed the left side of the runway while landing at United States Air Force Academy Airfield (AFF), Colorado Springs, Colorado. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Big Q Aviation Corporation and operated under Part 91 as a glider towing operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he had just completed a local glider towing operation and was landing on runway 16L. After a routine touchdown and rollout, a large gust of wind from the right side lifted the right wing. To regain directional control, the pilot applied rudder, slowly lowered the tailwheel to the ground, and applied pressure to both wheel brakes. When both brakes were applied, the left brake grabbed more efficiently than the right brake, causing the airplane to turn left and exit the runway. The airplane rotated counterclockwise, the right wheel dug into soft dirt, and subsequently the right wing contacted the ground.
Inspection
The pilot stated that when he began his shift that day, he was advised there were issues with the steering of the tailwheel. An inspection of the tailwheel by a responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector noted that the tailwheel functioned properly.