What happened
On 17 October 2025, at 1413 local time, an American Champion Aircraft Corp 8GCBC (Scout), with 2 pilots on board, had conducted aerial observation operations before landing at Busselton Airport, Western Australia.
The pilot reported that during the crosswind landing, after touching down with the tailwheel still clear of the ground, the aircraft left wing lifted due to a gust and the right wing struck the runway.
The pilot also believed that whilst they were recovering using the rudder controls, the toe brakes may have been inadvertently applied. This likely caused the aircraft to pitch forward, resulting in propellor impact with the ground and the aircraft coming to rest in a nose-over position (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Aircraft post-occurrence
Source: Photo supplied by operator
Inspection of the aircraft post‑event noted damage to the aircraft, that included the right wing and the propeller (Figure 2). One of the pilots incurred minor injuries.
Source: Photo supplied by operator, annotated by the ATSB
The landing was on runway 03 (Figure 3). The recorded weather conditions at the time was wind at 332° at 12 kt, gusting to 15 kt.
Figure 3: Approach orientation Busselton Airport
Note: aircraft not to scale. Source: Google Earth, annotated by the ATSB
The pilot operating manual for the Scout notes a crosswind limit of 17 kts. The variable wind strength of the gusting crosswind may have been close to the maximum demonstrated limit for the aircraft.
The operator reported that the pilot flying had previously demonstrated competency in crosswinds during landing. Furthermore, in this instance, the senior pilot in the back seat did not attempt to take over control during the landing, as they felt the conditions well within both the aircraft and the pilot flying’s capabilities.
The manual describes that the technique is to place the control stick into the wind (up‑wind aileron up) and assume a tail high attitude with the elevator to prevent drift.
Safety message
This occurrence highlights the importance of exercising caution when operating in conditions that have the potential to exceed the maximum demonstrated crosswind speed of an aircraft.
It also illustrates the need for pilots to establish a personal minimums checklist that is commensurate with the flying experience of the individual. If the conditions do not meet these criteria, or if there is any doubt, pilots should not attempt the landing, consider conducting a go-around, change runways or hand control to a more experienced pilot.
Tailwheel aircraft can be susceptible to crosswind gusts during the later stages of landing. Depending on the magnitude and direction of the gust, there may be insufficient time to apply corrective controls before the aircraft deviates from the intended path.
About this report
Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.