Amateur-built RV 8 N130JK accident near Fernandina Beach, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction’s loss of directional control on landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot had recently purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane and was receiving flight instruction in it toward a tailwheel endorsement. He had previously completed two successful landings. During the third landing with a 12- to 14-knot right crosswind and just as the tailwheel was about to settle onto the runway, the airplane began to veer right. The pilot and flight instructor attempted to compensate by applying full left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway into grass. The left main landing gear collapsed; the left wing struck the ground, substantially damaging it; and the airplane then came to rest. The pilot and instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation nor did a Federal Aviation Administration inspector's postaccident examination of the airplane find any.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA087 for the full record.