Primary finding
Probable cause
The right main landing gear’s inadvertent contact with uneven terrain, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to adequately assess the landing environment prior to touchdown.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, while performing an off-airport landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the right main gear hit hard and immediately compressed, bending the crossover tube between the front main gear mounts, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.