WPR13CA162

The pilot reported that as the tailwheel-equipped airplane decelerated after touchdown, it tracked left of the runway centerline. He applied corrective control inputs; however, the airplane continued to track left and departed the runway. The right wing contacted the ground and was substantially damaged during the runway excursion. The pilot reported that during the recently completed 100-hour annual inspection, the tailwheel suspension strut was modified with a different type of strut and that the new strut did not compress on landing until after right rudder was applied. However, review of the tailwheel strut design revealed that the strut only affects the vertical movement of the tailwheel, and has no lateral control effects. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that after touchdown, the tail wheel equipped airplane tracked left of runway center as it decelerated. He applied corrective actions; however, the airplane continued to track left and subsequently departed the runway edge. The right wing made contact with the ground during the runway excursion, and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the tail wheel strut did not compress on landing until after right rudder was applied. During the recently completed 100-hour annual inspection the tail wheel suspension strut was modified to incorporate a cylinder/oil type strut. A review of the tail wheel strut revealed that the strut only affects the vertical movement of the tail wheel, and has no lateral control effects. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.