What happened
During a training flight, a certified flight instructor (CFI) was conducting a checkout for a private pilot in a tailwheel equipped airplane. The flight involved several successful landings prior to the accident. However, during the final landing, the pilot utilized the rudder pedals excessively.
There were conflicting reports regarding the weather conditions at the time of the event. The CFI reported winds as light and variable, whereas the private pilot described winds from 160 degrees gusting to 25 knots.
The pilot stated that these wind conditions led to a loss of directional control. After successfully aligning the aircraft with the runway centerline, the CFI instructed the pilot to lock the brakes. This action resulted in the airplane performing a ground loop, during which the left wing struck the runway. No injuries were reported.
Findings
The investigation noted that the pilot's excessive use of rudder pedals and the subsequent instruction to lock the brakes contributed to the aircraft's inability to maintain its path, leading to the ground loop and wing strike.