Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight instructor and pilot were conducting a currency flight with the pilot at the flight controls of the tailwheel equipped airplane. The takeoff, flight around the traffic pattern, and landing approach were normal. The pilot executed a wheel landing; however, the airplane encountered a “rough spot on the turf runway” and bounced. When the airplane touched down again, it entered a ground loop which resulted in a runway excursion. During the accident sequence, the left wing contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and aileron. The flight instructor and pilot reported that there were no airplane anomalies before the ground loop.