J3 Cub
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 7100; Flight Crew Type 105
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
I was providing a friend dual instruction in his J-3 Cub. At the conclusion of a landing transitioning to taxi and exiting the runway; the aircraft's left wing was lifted by the NW crosswind that existed. The student attempted to recover; and when a ground loop began; I called for the aircraft and attempted to recover. During the recovery; the left main landing gear stuck a taxiway exit sign and caused damage to the left main gear. A prop-strike occurred with engine at idle. We exited the aircraft and no further incident. Since this incident; I have spent a few days self-reflecting what I could have done as an instructor to prevent this mishap. I have taught tailwheel in various aircraft for years; and believe that I have too high of a tolerance to allow a student to get into trouble. Where my mindset existed that 'this helps them to learn from their mistakes;' while true; I have researched and explored with industry experts a better way to approach when I make the decision to intervene in a tailwheel aircraft. Moving forward; I plan to use a general 'two second rule;' that was discussed with me by an FAA DPE. In his opinion; if a student makes an error that isn't corrected by the time he counts to two; he will intervene on the controls. While simple; it's a great plan that I will start to incorporate into my dual instruction given.
J3 Cub flight Instructor reported ground loop during tail-wheel instruction.