What happened
The pilot was operating a flight to transport lodge guests to a remote location that lacked a designated airport or paved runway. During the final phase of the approach, the aircraft touched down on the unimproved surface. As the airplane began its landing roll, the pilot attempted to maintain directional control using the rudder pedals.
According to the pilot's report, he inadvertently placed his right foot on the right brake pedal rather than the right rudder bar. He applied pressure to the brake while intending to use the rudder for steering. This asymmetric braking caused the aircraft to pivot sharply to the right, resulting in a ground loop. During this uncontrolled turn, the left wing and elevator struck the ground.
The investigation
The pilot provided a detailed account of the mechanical operation during the incident. He confirmed that the loss of directional control was due to the incorrect application of flight controls. Specifically, he acknowledged pressing the brake pedal when he meant to press the rudder bar. This error led directly to the ground loop and subsequent impact with the terrain.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's inadvertent application of the right brake during the landing roll on a remote site. The lack of a standard runway environment likely contributed to the high workload and confusion between brake and rudder inputs. The resulting ground loop caused structural damage to the airframe, specifically impacting the left wing and elevator.