Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 17000; Flight Crew Type 48
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Weather
The return flight to my home airport was an uneventful flight; beautiful day with sun and light winds around 5-10 KTS. As I approached the area; I monitored the CTAF and listened to the airport traffic. The two other aircraft I returned home with from the fly in had already landed ahead of me. At the 10 mile point I called my position; South/East and 2500 feet. The airport was clear of any weather and was visible at more than 10 miles. During my approach to the airport I listened to three aircraft making calls for landing Runway 31; and heard they were clear of the runway after landing. I continued my approach calling at 5 miles; 3 miles; and pattern entry. I entered the pattern at 2200 feet; about 1.5 miles on the base leg for Runway 31 and set up for a normal landing. I adjusted power for approach and when I was in ground effect I reduced power to maintain appropriate speed to touch down. The tires squeaked the runway at centerline; and I lowered the tail and held back pressure on the control. The wind direction at landing was a quartering headwind from the Right (from the Northeast). As the aircraft slowed to approximately 15-18 mph on the ground taxiing; the left wing was violently raised by an unpredictable; sudden; and extreme change in wind speed and direction; followed by the tail until the aircraft was balanced on its nose. Then if fell over on its back. As it was falling the propeller came to a stop and when no movement was felt I got out of my harness and exited the aircraft. There was no fire; so I returned and turned off the master switch.
The pilot of a tailwheel Experimental Light Sport aircraft reported a loss of control on landing due to a sudden change in wind speed and direction.