Ryan ST3KR N62130 accident near Port Townsend, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with vegetation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, while landing he elected to change from a three-point landing to a two-point landing. Upon touch down, the airplane veered left and departed the runway surface. The pilot elected to go around and "applied full right rudder and power." Concerned the airplane would not gain enough altitude to clear the obstacles, the pilot reduced engine power and landed off the runway surface. Subsequently, the airplane impacted vegetation and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

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

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA271 for the full record.