Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that almost immediately upon touching down with a slight left crosswind the airplane’s left wing dipped and “the ground loop began.” He then added power in an attempt to execute a go-around maneuver but was unable to regain control of the airplane. The airplane slid off the left side of the runway into a ditch resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.