Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during landing, just before touchdown, he applied "a small amount of right rudder" to correct for a slight left turn. When the tailwheel touched down following a wheel landing, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied left brake, which caused the airplane to go to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder and brake; however, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing, fuselage, and propeller hit the runway resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.