Accident Details
A commercial pilot, who had recently purchased a tailwheel-equipped airplane, was receiving flight instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. On the third landing attempt, with a 12 to 14-knot right crosswind, the airplane began to veer to the right side of the runway just as the tailwheel was about to settle. The pilot applied full left rudder, as did the flight instructor, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway into the grass. Before coming to rest, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, both the pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no such issues.