Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, after a bounced landing, he maintained directional control and 3-point landed the airplane back on to the runway. Shortly after, the airplane gradually veered left but he overcorrected, and the airplane veered right. He corrected with left rudder control and was able to maintain runway centerline but as the airplane slowed, the airplane veered left again. He corrected with right rudder control and right brake, but the airplane continued left, exited the runway to the left, the left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane impacted terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot was unsure if there was a mechanical anomaly with the tailwheel or brakes. A post-accident examination by the pilot's mechanic revealed that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA20CA070