Circumstances
A commercial pilot, recently hired and endorsed for tailwheel operations and serving as pilot-in-command, was practicing touch and go landings in a tailwheel airplane. The chief pilot of a banner tow company accompanied the pilot. During the second landing, shortly after the tailwheel contacted the runway, the airplane turned to the right. Despite attempts to maintain directional control, the pilot could not prevent the airplane from departing the runway. The airplane then ground looped, causing the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing to bend upward.
Aircraft Examination
An inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The recorded wind around the time of the accident was aligned with the runway heading at 5 knots.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported a total of 319 hours of flight experience, of which 3 hours were in the tailwheel type airplane.