Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a inadvertent ground loop. Contributing to the accident were variable winds that resulted in a landing tailwind, and rough terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing his experimental tail wheel airplane in winds that were continually changing direction. Just prior to touchdown, the winds changed to a tailwind, and during the landing roll the pilot failed to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop. As the airplane departed the runway, it encountered rough terrain, and sustained structural damage to the right wing and the fuselage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was landing his experimental tail wheel airplane in winds that were continually changing direction. Just prior to touchdown, the winds changed to a tailwind, and during the landing roll the pilot failed to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop. As the airplane departed the runway, it encountered rough terrain, and sustained structural damage to the right wing and the fuselage.