Accident Overview
During the landing roll of a tailwheel-equipped airplane, with the tailwheel on the ground, the airplane may have encountered a wind gust. The airplane departed the runway to the left, and the left main landing gear struck a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment points, the lower fuselage longeron, and the elevator.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the wind at the accident airport around the time of the accident was variable at 4 knots and the skies were clear. The pilot landed on runway 35. No mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation were reported.
Weather Conditions
The METAR station nearest the accident site, located 11 miles to the west, reported that the wind around the time of the accident was from 270° at 8 knots, with lightning in the distance to the northwest.
Pilot Recommendations
In the Recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had more quickly applied corrective actions, specifically increased right rudder pedal pressure, more differential braking, and increased right aileron input.