Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadvertent impact with a rock during a landing on a grass strip.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing on an off-airport airstrip with a grass/turf surface, the right main landing gear rolled over a rock, which then dislodged from the ground. The rock then struck the empennage which resulted in substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.