Runway excursion Accident Cessna 180H N3424Y, Sunday 11 March 2012

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Date:	Sunday 11 March 2012
Time:	11:45 LT
Type:	Cessna 180H
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N3424Y
MSN:	18051896
Year of manufacture:	1968
Engine model:	Continental O-470R
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Belle Chase, LA (65LA) - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Pascagoula-Jackson County Airport, MS (PGL/KPQL)
Destination airport:	Belle Chase, LA (65LA)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
On downwind, the pilot noticed that the wind had increased and that there was light turbulence. He planned to land beyond some trees to avoid turbulence. The airplane encountered a wind gust during the landing roll. The pilot applied rudder and aileron corrections along with heavy braking. The airplane exited the runway and impacted a pipe rack resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a tailwheel spring was bent, and its spring rate was weak, which allowed the tailwheel's fork to caster freely by not engaging into its machined locking detent.

Probable Cause: The bent tailwheel spring that allowed the tailwheel to caster when the airplane encountered a wind gust on landing roll.

Accident investigation: