Piper PA18 N104CC accident near Raton, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the wheel landing in gusting wind conditions, the right main landing gear (MLG) touched down on the runway followed by the left MLG. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and brakes. However, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, and its right wing struck the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the right aileron, and the right elevator.

The pilot reported that the airport's windsocks indicated a 5- to 10-knot "right quartering headwind."

The METAR located at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25.

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

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA480 for the full record.