PA-18/19 Super Cub
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 222; Flight Crew Total 6060; Flight Crew Type 698
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
This will be a report of the most embarrassing moment of my professional pilot career. After over X000 hours and over XY00 hours of tailwheel with nearly Y00 hours alone in many different types of Super Cubs; I lost directional control departed the runway upon landing in ZZZ. I believe that my student accidentally hit the left brake upon landing and I did not have my feet near the heel brakes in a position to counter his brake movement. Soon after touching down the airplane jerked to the left about 30 degrees and I went full right rudder and the airplane departed the runway to the left. It was equipped with upgraded suspension; 3 inch extended gear and many other bush flying modifications that gave it over 3 feet of prop clearance. I did not hit any runway lights and nothing was damaged other than pride. Contributing factors include a seat that was not properly installed; a far AFT CG and possible improper loading of the baggage area; and several squawks related to the trim system and tailwheel assembly. After the excursion we mailed some gear to the destination to ensure we were within CG; although the builder of the aircraft didn't list any limitations with the extended baggage (maximum weights; etc). Based on my experience however we would have likely exceeded the loading limitations for a certified Super Cub with a similar extended baggage. However; this was no excuse and in hindsight it is likely that some right brake may have prevented the issue. The lesson I learned is to always be ready with the brakes and anticipate that a student could inadvertently hit the brakes upon landing.
PA-18 pilot reported a runway excursion upon landing.