Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent activation of the left brake during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and collision with a ditch.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he inadvertently applied left brake pressure, and the airplane veered off the edge of the runway into tall grass. The pilot's corrective action was ineffective, and the airplane subsequently impacted an irrigation ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the nose and firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during a wheel landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently applied left brake pressure and the airplane veered off the edge of the runway into tall grass. Corrective action was ineffective and the airplane subsequently collided with an irrigation ditch, substantially damaging the nose and firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.