Incident Details
A pilot was landing after towing and releasing a glider at Sky Soaring airport. The wind was from 020 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported landing to the west on runway 27, a grass strip. While slowing down, the rudder lost effectiveness, and the airplane began a slight ground loop toward the right (north). The pilot corrected with the left heel brake, but the airplane continued heading 15 to 20 degrees right of the runway centerline, toward a glider that was tied down on the north side of the field. To stop forward movement, the pilot stepped on both heel brakes, causing the airplane to nose over and come to rest on its back.
Examination
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot had accumulated only about 7 hours of flight time in that specific make and model of airplane.
Pilot Experience
The pilot's limited experience in the aircraft type was noted in the report, but no causal link was established between the pilot's hours and the accident.