Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudged glide path, which resulted in a runway undershoot and collision with terrain during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was conducting a short-field landing demonstration on a dirt airstrip. During the landing approach, the tailwheel impacted a berm of dirt located at the approach end of the airstrip. The nose pitched down and the propeller struck the runway, followed by the main landing gear. The airplane then bounced back into the air and the pilot added engine power. The airplane skidded to the left, resulting in the right main landing gear and tailwheel separating during the impact sequence. The pilot indicated that he should have landed farther down the airstrip. He reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was conducting a short-field landing demonstration on a dirt airstrip. During the landing approach, the tailwheel impacted a berm of dirt located at the approach end of the airstrip. The nose pitched down and the propeller struck the runway, followed by the main landing gear. The airplane then bounced back into the air, the pilot added power, and the airplane skidded to the left. The right main landing gear and tailwheel separated during the impact sequence. The pilot indicated that he should have landed farther down the airstrip. No mechanical anomalies were reported.