NTSB Factual Report

On March 30, 2001, at 1500 central standard time, a Bradley Midget Mustang homebuilt tail-wheel equipped airplane, N11DB, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing roll at the Orange County Airport near Orange, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Opelousas, Louisiana, at 1400.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he made a 3-point landing on runway 4, at approximately 85 mph. After rolling about 100 feet past the touchdown point, the aircraft swerved left, and exited the runway. He applied full right rudder, which had no effect. The airplane traveled through a barbed wire fence before coming to a stop nose down in a "flooded" cow pasture. The pilot reported that the wind was 20 degrees off the runway center at 7-10 mph.

The airport manager reported to the FAA inspector that the wind at the time of the accident was from 310 degrees at 10 knots.

At 1453, the Southeast Texas Regional Airport, located 13.4 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported the wind to be from 320 degrees at 8 knots.

According to the FAA inspector, the airplane's empennage was twisted to the left, and the left aileron was damaged.

The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he had just purchased the airplane and was bringing it home. The pilot had a total flight time of 2 hours in the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions during the landing roll which resulted in a loss of control. A contributing factor was the crosswind condition.