Accident Sequence
During a touch-and-go landing, the pilot/owner of a tailwheel aircraft made an approach intending to perform a three-point landing. However, the main wheels contacted the ground first, causing a bounce. The aircraft then touched down in a three-point attitude and began to swerve to the left. The pilot applied right rudder but could not stop the turn.
Seeing the difficulty, the flight instructor, who was seated in the left seat because the aircraft had brakes only on that side, took control. The instructor applied full right rudder, right brake, and left aileron to correct the situation. Despite these inputs, the turn continued, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest on the runway.
Pilot Background
The pilot/owner had previously received a tail wheel endorsement but had not utilized it for several years. To regain proficiency, he was working with an instructor. The instructor chose to fly from the left seat due to the aircraft's brake configuration and because it had been some time since he had instructed in a tail wheel aircraft.
Aircraft Condition
An investigation determined that the aircraft's fuselage had become warped due to a number of previous repairs. Although the aircraft responded correctly to pilot inputs, this realignment/warping made the aircraft very sensitive to any rudder inputs.
Contributing Factors
The sensitivity of the aircraft to rudder inputs made it difficult for the pilot to control from the right seat. It also required quicker than normal remedial action by the flight instructor. The instructor did not take corrective action in time to arrest the left turn before the gear collapsed.