Incident Overview
A tailwheel-equipped airplane was on a personal flight with the pilot in command occupying the rear seat and the airplane owner in the front seat. The approach was made to runway 17. Just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right, causing the nose to turn right. The airplane touched down on the runway and, during the landing roll, exited the right side of the runway.
Post-Touchdown Events
After the airplane departed the runway, the owner of the airplane came on the controls. The airplane subsequently struck a runway light and ground looped to the left.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the upper left side of the fuselage just aft of the cabin.
Weather Conditions
The pilot reported that the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The nearest METAR station, located 25 miles northeast of the airport, reported that about the time of the accident the wind was from 260° at 6 knots, variable between 230° and 290°. The skies were clear with 9 statute miles of visibility.
Mechanical Status
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Statement
Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had carried more airspeed during the landing to combat the wind conditions.