Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After touchdown the airplane began to yaw to the left toward the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder to correct for the yaw, which stopped the yaw but the airplane continued into a hard right turn. The pilot was unable to stop the right turn with left rudder input and the airplane continued around about 300 degrees before it came to a stop on the runway. During the ground loop, the left wing contacted the runway surface and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
After touchdown the airplane began to yaw to the left toward the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder to correct for the yaw, which stopped the yaw but the airplane continued into a hard right turn. The pilot was unable to stop the right turn with left rudder input and the airplane continued around about 300 degrees before it came to a stop on the runway. During the ground loop, the left wing contacted the runway surface and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.