What happened
A 23-year-old commercial pilot was operating a tailwheel equipped airplane during an unscheduled return to Talkeetna. The flight was returning earlier than planned because a passenger was ill. To facilitate a quicker exit for the sick passenger and avoid the need for a back taxi, the pilot intended to land on a gravel area located just short of the paved runway.
During the landing roll on the gravel surface, the pilot reported that the touchdown and initial roll were uneventful until the nose of the aircraft veered slightly to the right. Although the pilot attempted to compensate by applying left rudder, the airplane suddenly entered a ground loop to the right.
As the aircraft ground looped, the left wing and left elevator collided with the runway, both sustaining substantial damage. Additionally, the pilot reported that the left wheel casting separated from the aircraft during the event. Wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported as calm. The pilot was not injured.