Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot had just completed tailwheel/high performance training and had been signed off by the flight instructor. The pilot stated he wanted to go for another flight to fine-tune his flying skills, and the flight instructor went along with him. The pilot, who was acting as the pilot-in-command, said he made a successful tail wheel-landing, followed by a three-point landing. During the three-point landing, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. The pilot said he tried to correct to the right, but the airplane subsequently ground looped. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.