Piper PA-25-235 N4625Y accident near Fernley, Nevada

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during gusting wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing, he executed a wheel landing. During the rollout, while the airplane’s tail was lowering, a wind gust lifted the right wing. The pilot applied right aileron and left rudder corrections, and the right wing lowered. Subsequently, the right main landing gear tire contacted the soft runway edge, and the airplane exited the runway surface. The pilot applied full engine power to abort the landing, however, the airplane impacted multiple sand bars and spun 180°. The airplane came to rest upright, and the right wing and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 15 with the wind light and variable.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA197 for the full record.