What happened
A prospective buyer occupying the left seat initiated a takeoff roll in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. During the acceleration phase, the aircraft began to ground loop uncontrollably. The pilot in the right seat, who was the owner of the aircraft, attempted to correct the situation but was unable to regain directional control in time. As a result of the uncontrolled movement, the right main landing gear collapsed upon impact with the ground.
The investigation
Investigation into the incident revealed significant deficiencies in the pilot's qualifications. Although the buyer had claimed proficiency in operating tailwheel aircraft, he was not current on recent flight operations. Furthermore, his medical certificate had expired as of 1961, indicating a long-standing lack of valid medical certification required for flight.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident included the pilot's lack of recent experience and invalid medical status. The inability to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll led directly to the structural failure of the landing gear.