Runway excursion Accident Champion 7FC Tri-Traveler N3JZ, Thursday 2 April 2020

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Date:	Thursday 2 April 2020
Time:	18:30
Type:	Champion 7FC Tri-Traveler
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N3JZ
MSN:	7FC-212
Year of manufacture:	1958
Total airframe hrs:	2560 hours
Engine model:	Continental O-200-A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Hessel, MI (5Y1) - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Hessel, MI (5Y1)
Destination airport:	Hessel, MI (5Y1)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted a three-point, full-stall landing with a right-quartering headwind of about 10 to 15 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered an unanticipated wind gust that raised the right wing and turned the airplane about 30° to the right. The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway and impacted a snowbank. The airplane then decelerated rapidly and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank.

Accident investigation: