PA-18/19 Super Cub
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 225; Flight Crew Type 75
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors; Weather
I was cleared to land. As I came over the end of the runway; I was getting some weird wind shear that was pushing me around; but my approach felt controlled and so I went through with it. Right before I touched down; I got a strong crosswind gust of wind (from the left) that pushed my super cub sideways (nose pointing to the left) as I touched down. Being a tail dragger; the plane responded accordingly; and I began to skid sideways down the runway. I was already down and too sideways for a go-around; so I pulled the throttle all the way back; stick back and left; and rudder full right. The plane continued to skid to a stop sideways on the runway; but all three wheels remained on the runway at all times; and no damage to the runway or aircraft occurred. After coming to a complete stop; I proceeded to turn the plane around to the left; leaving the asphalt for a brief time on the left side of the runway and taxing to the exit ramp on the other side where the Tower then informed me to stop; and I was later met by a foam truck and a service vehicle. I believe that the main factors in this were the wind gusts from the side; which in turn caused me to land sideways. I could have performed a go-around; though in the moment my approach felt controlled up until the last minute. I believe that I took the correct actions on the ground; and in so doing prevented any further damage to the aircraft or to airport property. My plane did not complete a full ground loop; but rather only turned about 90-120 degrees; and the rest of the 'loop' was me taxiing out of my predicament back on to the runway.
PA-18 pilot reported losing directional control on landing roll in a crosswind situation.