Amateur-built RV8 N678VR accident near Angel Fire, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during landing the airplane encountered gusty wind and the tailwheel touched down hard. The airplane veered to the right and the pilot applied left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, struck terrain, and came to rest upright. The airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. The wind at the airport around the time of the accident was an 80 degree right crosswind at 17 knots gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and said the accident could have been prevented if he had maintained crosswind aileron control throughout the landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA423 for the full record.