Incident Overview
A pilot operating a tundra tire and tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a loss of directional control during a night landing at a high-altitude airport. The pilot reported that he chose to land from right to left on the 100-foot-wide runway to manage the crosswind component. The wheel landing was normal, but the airplane failed to return to the runway centerline after drifting to the left side. When the pilot added power to initiate a go-around, the left main wheel separated from the aircraft, causing the airplane to ground loop to the right.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage of the airplane.
Weather Conditions
Data from the airport's automated weather observation station, recorded around the time of the accident, indicated wind from 220° at 19 knots, gusting to 31 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 27.
Aircraft Performance Information
The airplane's operating handbook specified a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 13 mph, equivalent to 11 knots. The calculated crosswind component using steady winds was 15 knots, and using gust winds was 24 knots, both exceeding the demonstrated limit.
Sequence of Events
- The pilot conducted a night landing on runway 27 at a high-altitude airport.
- To mitigate crosswind, the pilot planned to land from right to left across the runway width.
- The wheel landing was normal, but the airplane veered left and could not be corrected to centerline.
- The pilot applied power for a go-around, at which point the left main wheel sheared off.
- The airplane then ground looped to the right, resulting in structural damage.
No further details or causal analysis are available from the investigation source.