ERA12CA235

While en route to his destination airport, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane observed adverse weather developing and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the landing approach was normal, but after landing, a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway, where the left wing contacted a runway distance remaining sign, substantially damaging the wing spar. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather data for the accident airport revealed that the wind speed did not exceed 6 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane.

While enroute to his destination airport, the pilot of the tail-wheel equipped airplane, observed weather developing to the West and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the approach for landing was normal, but after landing a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway and contact a runway distance remaining sign with the left wing. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the wing spar was substantially damaged. No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures of the airplane or engine were discovered. A review of automated weather observing system data for the diversion airport revealed that the peak wind speed never exceeded 6 knots and no wind gusts were recorded before, during, or after, the time of the accident. A review of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) revealed that the pilot had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the airplane.