Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswinds.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported he was landing his tail wheel-equipped airplane in almost direct crosswinds that were 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. Soon after touchdown, he lost directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the side of the runway, and entered an area of grass covered soft terrain. As the airplane continued a left turn in the soft terrain, the right main landing gear collapsed inward due to an overload failure. The right wing contacted the surface and was substantially damaged. The pilot further stated the he did not believe there had been any anomalies associated with the airplane's flight control or tail wheel steering systems.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA457 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 10, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jerome, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Jerome County (KJER)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built THORP-18
- N-number
- N330JH
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.