Amateur-built SMITH SUPER CUB N251HF accident near Allisonia, Virginia

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate lookout, which resulted in a collision with ground equipment during taxi.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he performed four practice landings at the departure airport, to confirm landing performance, then continued to a private gravel airstrip. He overflew the airstrip and observed calm wind conditions, then performed another flyover to verify the runway was clear of obstructions. While on final approach, a gust of wind resulted in a temporary increase in airspeed then a touchdown farther than planned. After landing, during a “fast-taxi maneuver” he struck ground equipment that was obscured because of the tailwheel airplane’s nose-high pitch attitude. The landing gear collapsed, then the airplane then struck another piece of equipment, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA275 for the full record.