Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience/training in tailwheel-equipped airplanes.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel airstrip. During the landing roll, the airplane ground-looped to the left and the right wing struck the ground, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that the accident could have been prevented with increased training time in tailwheel-equipped airplanes.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel airstrip. During the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing struck the ground. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been prevented with increased training time in tailwheel operations.