Incident Overview
A tail wheel airplane sustained substantial damage during a training flight when the pilot under instruction overcompensated during a landing realignment maneuver, leading to a loss of control and a ground loop. The accident occurred on a dry lakebed while the pilot was receiving instruction for a tail wheel endorsement.
Sequence of Events
According to a written statement from the certified flight instructor (CFI), he and the pilot had conducted numerous takeoffs and landings at the departure airport before proceeding to the dry lakebed for additional practice. During the final landing, as the tail of the airplane was lowering from the wheel landing position, the student applied right rudder to avoid a stick observed on the ground. The CFI noted that the original rollout path would have cleared the stick but considered the maneuver acceptable as it provided extra clearance.
The pilot then applied left rudder to correct but overcompensated. The CFI announced that he had control of the aircraft, but the pilot did not release the control yoke or rudder pedals. As the airplane decelerated, it underwent two left-to-right oscillations. During the second right oscillation, the right wing lifted, causing the airplane to rise onto its left main tire. The CFI applied left aileron and left rudder, but the airplane continued veering right, and he was unable to regain control before the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The CFI also applied left brake; the left wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest inverted.
Damage
The airplane nosed over onto its back, resulting in significant damage. No injuries were reported in the available information.