Piper PA-18-150 N41529 accident near Brush, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with strong gusty surface winds.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tail wheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, when the airplane was slowed to taxi speed, it began to drift left. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane and it exited the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane entered a snow-covered field adjacent to the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing struts and vertical stabilizer.

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

At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 25 with wind variable at 20-25 knots, gusting to 35 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA085 for the full record.