Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-200 N315CF accident near Cedar City, Utah

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, with gusty tailwind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll the wind shifted from a quartering headwind to a tailwind, and “threw me off the runway.” The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and aileron inputs to counteract the wind shift, however, the airplane bounced and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and right wing lift strut were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 20 and reported that the wind was variable at 28 to 45 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA220 for the full record.