Date: 201606
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: AAT.Airport, CA
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence; Windshear; 20
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Landing
ATC / advisory: CTAF AAT
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: Ground Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Weather
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: The Alturas airport sits at 4377 ft and the temp/dew point was 83/39 (deg F) resulting in a density altitude of approx. 7100 feet. ASOS at AAT reporting winds 260 deg at 20 gusting 28 kts. This wind direction bisected two appropriate runways (21 and 31). I selected runway 21 for landing as it was slightly wider although shorter. This resulted in a crosswind component of 21 kts. The [aircraft] had only about 20 gallons of fuel; but had pilot + 3 passengers and the CG was close to the aft limits. I performed a stable approach and executed a wheel landing; but in retrospect did not add extra airspeed to compensate for the gust factor. In the flare; the aircraft dropped suddenly due to mechanical turbulence created from the wind flowing over the hangars/FBO/trees on the NW side of the airport. After touchdown; the tail of the airplane moved to the left as a result of the weathervane tendency of the aircraft and I was slightly late to correct with full left rudder. I considered using the left brake to assist in the required lateral correction to remain on the runway; but I realized that I was quickly losing lateral control of the aircraft and it was veering toward the right edge of the runway. I decided to go around and added full power. As I lifted the aircraft off the runway; we departed the right edge of the runway and I saw a runway light in close proximity of the aircraft. I deemed it likely that the wheel or strut may have struck the light; but was concentrating on controlling the aircraft in the low-airspeed go around maneuver. I climbed to pattern altitude; circled the windsock/tetrahedron and decided that runway 21 was still the best option for landing. On the next approach; I added a few knots of airspeed to correct for the gust factor; used a reduced flap setting to reduce the effect of the crosswinds; anticipated the mechanical turbulence/gust effect from the buildings; and performed a 3-point landing to get the tailwheel down sooner to assist in maintaining directional control. This was also a difficult landing that resulted in the use of full left rudder as well as the left brake to keep the airplane from veering off the runway to the right; but after several seconds of swerving; the airplane decelerated to a controllable speed. The second landing was successful. Upon inspection of the runway lights; I had struck one of the lights on the right side of the runway and glass was shattered all over the runway. I did not observe any visible nicks/scratches/damage on the wheels or struts. The front-right passenger said that he believed we struck the light with the right main gear during the go-around maneuver and because I did not see any damage to the strut; I believe the tire struck the light. Contributing factors to this event included: Strong; gusty winds and runway configuration that resulted in crosswind component of 21 kts. Mechanical turbulence/windshear resulting from nearby buildings/trees. Heavy aircraft with aft CG (more lateral momentum to swing left/right on landing). Incorrect pilot technique (slightly delayed and ineffectual rudder inputs to maintain lateral control). High density altitude (higher ground speed upon touchdown that must be dissipated).




Synopsis: Tailwheel pilot reported striking runway edge lights on an approach and landing to AAT airport in gusty crosswind conditions.