14 Jul 2018: Piper PA 20 Undesignat — Gateway Tailwheel Club LLC

14 Jul 2018: Piper PA 20 Undesignat — Gateway Tailwheel Club LLC

No fatalities • Dayton, OH, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for variable crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the flare, he felt a wind shift push the airplane left of centerline. He applied opposite rudder, but the airplane touched down "skewed", pointed to the right. The airplane then exited the runway to the right and ground looped on the adjacent field.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 6 knots at the accident site. He added that during the short final leg of the approach, the wind was from about 210º and the wind shifted to about 280º during the flare. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 310º at 9 knots and about 30 minutes after of the accident, the wind was from 180° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 20.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Response/compensation
  • cause Response/compensation
  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 180/08kt, vis 10sm

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