Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a lighted, paved, dry runway at dusk, when he inadvertently bounced the airplane during initial touchdown. He applied remedial control inputs, but he overcorrected, and, upon touching down again, the airplane swerved to the right. He added engine power to abort the landing, but the airplane ground looped to the right and hit a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a lighted, paved, dry runway, at dusk, when he inadvertently bounced during initial touchdown. He applied remedial control inputs, but he overcorrected, and upon touching down again, the airplane swerved to the right. He added engine power to abort the landing, but the airplane ground looped to the right, and hit a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.