N47964Boeing B75N1 · 1943

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.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings in the tailwheel equipped airplane. The pilot said that during the landing roll the airplane veered left. He applied corrective control inputs in an effort to realign the airplane with the runway; however, the airplane continued left and exited the runway surface. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s right wing contacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the lower wing. The weather reported by the pilot on the NTSB accident report form revealed he was landing with a left quartering crosswind condition. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.