Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delay in aborting the landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings when the accident occurred. During the landing flare, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot overcorrected to the right before applying full power in an attempt to go around. The left main wheel contacted grass on the left side of the runway, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The firewall and the lower fuselage longerons sustained substantial damage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings when the accident occurred. During the landing flare, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot over corrected to the right before applying full power in an an attempt to go-around. The left main wheel contacted grass on the left side of the runway and the airplane ground looped to the right. The pilot reported the lower fuselage longerons were bent between the landing gear mount and wing strut attach point, the firewall was buckled, and the left main landing gear was bent.