Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose down.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the biplane veered right. He applied left rudder and brakes, the left wingtip scraped the runway, and the biplane exited the runway to the left. He then applied more brakes to avoid a drainage ditch, and the biplane nosed down. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the lower, left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The biplane pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the biplane veered right. He applied left rudder and brakes, the left-wing tip scrapped the runway and the biplane exited the runway to the left. He then applied more brakes to avoid a drainage ditch and the biplane nosed down. The pilot reported that the biplane sustained substantial damage to the lower, left-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.