The pilot of the North American SNJ-6 had planned an overhead traffic pattern at the airport in Santa Fe, N.M, which provided for better visibility when he sat in the rear seat.
While on downwind he was directed to extend downwind and fly a straight-in approach. He accepted the instructions, knowing his visibility for landing would be restricted and he would likely have to drop the nose of the airplane on approach to see forward during landing.
He landed “a bit fast” after dropping the nose, and a light crosswind possibly pushed the airplane right.
He over corrected to the left and added power to go around.
The plane skidded left and exited the runway, causing the right main gear to collapse and the right wing and prop to strike the ground.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s loss of directional control during landing and subsequent go around attempt.
NTSB Identification: CEN14CA246
This May 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
For one thing the pilot should be in the front seat for solo. Unless he was trying to impress a front seat passenger with his IP abilities from the rear. That plane is easy to wheel land anyway. A slight xcross wind will not effect it if you FLY the plane to the runway.