Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, while making an off-airport landing, the airplane bounced back into the air after the initial touchdown. As he attempted to continue the landing sequence, the airplane began to drift to the right, and the pilot inadvertently allowed its right wing to dip toward the terrain. Before he was able to correct the attitude, the wing contacted the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled across the landing area, coming to rest inverted. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there had been no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane's flight control system.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that while making an off-airport landing, the airplane bounced back into the air during the initial touchdown. As he attempted to continue the landing sequence, the airplane began to drift to the right, and he inadvertently allowed its right wing to dip toward the terrain. Before he was able to correct the situation, the wing contacted the ground, and the airplane cart wheeled across the landing area coming to rest inverted. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there had been no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane's flight control system.