Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's excessive airspeed during the landing, which resulted in his decision to perform an intentional ground loop to avoid a runway overrun.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel–equipped airplane performed a short-field landing on the grass runway. During the landing rollout, he applied the brakes and the aircraft slowed normally. Due to his position in the cockpit, the pilot could not see the end of the runway until the airplane approached it. He intentionally ground-looped the airplane in an attempt to avoid traveling off the end of the runway. The airplane turned 90 degrees and impacted trees. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, witnesses reported the airplane's approach speed was excessive for the short runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the forward left wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot "made a short field landing approach 3 pointing the aircraft at the approach end" of the 2,350 foot long by 100 feet wide grass runway. The pilot applied the brakes and "slowing seemed normal." Due to his position in the cockpit and the 3-point landing, the pilot could not "see the end of the runway until it was too late." The pilot then intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid traveling off the end and into a ravine. The airplane turned 90 degrees and impacted trees. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, witnesses reported the airplane's approach speed was "way too fast for the short runway." Examination of the airplane revealed the forward left wing spar was fractured. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.