NYC03LA141

The pilot was performing a three point landing (full stall landing). He flared high, and the tailwheel contacted the runway first. The main landing struck the runway, and the airplane bounced back into the air. The pilot added power, and the airplane rolled left, and struck the ground again. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the runway. The pilot's total flight experience was 208 hours, including 28 hours in tail wheel airplanes, all in make and model. He reported that he had performed about 30 three point landings, and 20 wheel landings. Although the pilot reported that the airplane was struck by a gust of wind, a check of the airport weather revealed calm winds.

On June 29, 2003, about 1440 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2741C, was substantially damaged while landing at Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Brandy Station, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which originated from Rostraver Airport (P53), Monongahela, Pennsylvania. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated:

"Attempting a three point landing, I flared high, and the tailwheel contacted the runway first. The main gear struck hard causing the aircraft to bounce severely. At the apex of the bounce arc, I applied power to prevent the aircraft from nosing-over. A witness,...stated that at the same time that he heard the application of power a gust of cross wind lifted the right wing.

"A combination of engine torque and cross wind rolled the aircraft to the left; the left wing tip contacted the runway. The main gear struck the runway with the aircraft traveling sideways causing the right gear leg to fail. The right wing struck next breaking the carry-thru wing spars. The aircraft came to rest on the left edge of Runway 4 with the fuselage on its right side at about a 45 degree list."

An Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the right main landing gear had collapsed under the fuselage. The propeller tips were curled forward, and the right wing was bent up.

When interviewed, the pilot reported that he added power when the airplane bounced and the engine responded to his movement of the throttle.

The pilot reported his total flight experience was 208 hours, which included 28 hours in make and model, and in the preceding 90 days. This airplane comprised the pilot's total tail wheel experience. The pilot reported that in the 28 hours he had been flying the Cessna 170B, he had performed about 30 full stall landings and 20 wheel landings.

Between 1400 and 1600, there were seven automated weather observations at the airport. The peak wind recorded was 4 knots, with no gusts. At the time of the accident, the winds were reported to be calm.