Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that after a normal landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to drift right and that he applied control inputs to counteract the drift. The airplane then started to veer to the left, and the pilot applied right rudder to stop that movement; however, his foot became entangled in the rudder pedal, and the airplane ground looped. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that following a normal landing, the tail wheel equipped airplane began to drift to the right and he applied control inputs to counteract the drift. The airplane then started to veer to the left and he applied right rudder to stop the movement, however his foot became entangled in the rudder pedal and the airplane ground looped. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed which resulted in substantial damage to the forward area of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.