Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was demonstrating landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a mowed grass field, which sloped from left to right. The main wheels touched the ground without incident but, as the tail dropped the airplane veered sharply to the left. The pilot applied right brake and full right rudder in an attempt to control the airplane, yet it continued to swerve until it was 90 degrees relative to the direction of travel. The right main landing gear subsequently separated and the right wing and stabilizer contacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the fuselage, stabilizer, and right aileron. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 8, 2011, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Glasair Aviation LLC Sportsman GS-2, N117CE, ground looped during an off-airport landing in Pinedale, Wyoming. Glasair Aviation was operating the experimental amateur-built class, market survey category airplane, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the fuselage, stabilizer, and right aileron during the accident sequence. The local flight departed Ralph Wenz Field Airport, Pinedale, Wyoming, about 1130. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was demonstrating landing the tailwheel equipped airplane into a mowed grass field, which slopped from left to right. The landing flare was normal as both main wheels touched the ground. As the tail dropped, the airplane veered sharply to the left. He applied right brake and full right rudder in an attempt to control the airplane, however, it continued to swerve until it was 90 degrees relative to the direction of travel. The right main landing gear subsequently separated, and the right wing and stabilizer made contact with the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.