Accident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel gear-equipped airplane performed a wheel landing on runway 27. During the landing roll, the tailwheel made contact with the ground, and the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right. The pilot reported that the right aileron was positioned into the wind, with left rudder applied and no engine power. Subsequently, the right wing rose, and the airplane began to weathervane. The pilot added full engine power and full left rudder. The right main landing gear returned to the ground, but the airplane departed the runway to the right. It struck a berm and became airborne again, then descended and rotated about the nose to the left.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing spar and left main landing gear attachment points.
Weather Information
According to the METAR report near the time of the accident, the wind was from 350 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The crosswind component was calculated at 18 knots.
Pilot Remarks
In the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented by setting personal limitations and by checking the Automatic Terminal Information Service every two patterns.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures existed with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.