Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was practicing takeoffs and landings on a turf runway. While on his third landing of the day he touched down and the airplane suddenly started to move to the left. He applied right rudder but the airplane did not respond as he expected it to, and it continued left off a steep embankment. During the runway excursion the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.