On July 14, 1982, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N53812) operated by Bruce L. Taylor was involved in an aviation accident near Savannah, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's overcorrection with the rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tailwheel-equipped aircraft sustained substantial damage to its left landing gear and wing after the pilot overcorrected with the rudder during the landing roll, causing a ground loop.
What happened
The accident occurred during a checkout flight involving two pilots in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. The owner of the aircraft, who held a private pilot certificate, was conducting the checkout for another pilot who was reportedly acting as an instructor at the time. During the landing roll, the instructor pilot overcorrected with the rudder input. This excessive control input caused the aircraft to ground loop. As a result of the ground loop, the left landing gear and the left wing were substantially damaged.
The investigation
Post-acc examination confirmed that the left landing gear and left wing sustained substantial damage consistent with the forces generated during a ground loop event.
Probable cause
The pilot's overcorrection with the rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.