PA-18/19 Super Cub
Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 27; Flight Crew Total 356; Flight Crew Type 210
Other / Unknown
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather; Human Factors; Aircraft
Landing on Runway 27 with ATIS reported wind 230 at 6. After touchdown during roll-out an abrupt very strong gust from the left lifted the left wing; I applied extra power to increase rudder authority; applied left stick and right rudder to maintain directional control. The upwind wheel was down and the other wheel slightly raised. Then the wind changed direction again and airplane replanted both wheels. This caused some jarring and my hand slipped forward off the throttle; but my wrist watch band caught the throttle causing it to momentarily go to full power. I immediately cut power; but the airplane lifted slightly and the right wingtip dragged momentarily on the runway. The problem was a freak gust and there's nothing anyone can do about that. My wrist watch is just a cheap Timex which does not have a big wrist band and it fits snug. My sleeves were rolled up so it was not my shirt cuff. The one thing I will do different in the future is A) intentionally hold the throttle very tight when facing a turbulent landing. B) Take off my watch prior to landing. It would have also helped if the Tower reported the wind on short final with a statement such as 'strong crosswind gusts from the left.'
PA18 pilot reports a momentary loss of control during landing due to a wind gust and inadvertent application of full power in the rough landing.