Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot stated that during the landing roll, he looked down to turn off the carburetor heat. When he looked back up, he was on the left edge of the runway. He overcorrected with right rudder, ground looped, and departed the right side of the runway onto the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot stated that during the landing roll out, he looked down to turn off the carburetor heat. When he looked back up, he was on the left edge of the runway. He over corrected with right rudder, ground looped, and departed the right side of the runway onto the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.