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 in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he made a normal wheel landing and as he was about to lower the tailwheel, the airplane veered to the right. He attempted to correct with left rudder control, but the airplane ground looped. The pilot opined that the airplane may have been caught by a wind gust, which started an oscillation that he was not able to correct for. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.