Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had not flown for several years and had just received training from a certified flight instructor. During his first solo flight since the training, he was conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the fourth landing, the airplane veered off the runway to the left side and ground-looped. After departing the runway, the airplane impacted a metal obstruction with the left landing gear, substantially damaging the tubular fuselage structure.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 2, 2011, at 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Carpenter Kolb Twinstar III, N3135J, veered off the runway during landing at Ferry County Airport, Republic, Washington. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The recreational pilot, who was operating under sport pilot privileges, was not injured. The flight was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had not flown for several years. He had recently received training from a certified flight instructor, and was on his first solo flight since receiving the training. During this flight, the pilot was conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the fourth landing on runway 35, the pilot reported that he tried to settle the tailwheel too soon and with too much speed. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway to the left side, and ground looped. After departing the runway, the airplane impacted a metal obstruction with the left landing gear. The tubular fuselage structure sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.