Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the landing in a tailwheel equipped airplane, it appeared to him that the wind was calm during the approach. Soon after landing, he reported hitting a bump in the runway along with a wind shear resulting in a loss of directional control. Despite the pilot’s control inputs, the airplane exited the runway to the right and ground looped in the runway safety area, coming to rest upright. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left-wing tip and left aileron were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.