Waco UBF N1244G accident near Tampa, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an object.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the vintage, bi-wing, tailwheel airplane reported that he was performing a wheel landing. The airplane touched down on the main wheels and had slowed enough for the tailwheel to touch down. During the landing rollout, after slowing to about 5 knots, a gust of wind struck the airplane and it veered right off of the runway and into the grass. The lower left wing struck the housing of a precision approach path indicator light, substantially damaging it, and the airplane came to rest upright. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA319 for the full record.