Accident Details
On August 2, 2011, at 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Carpenter Kolb Twinstar III, registration N3135J, departed the runway during landing at Ferry County Airport in Republic, Washington. The airplane came to rest after a ground loop, resulting in substantial damage. The recreational pilot, operating under sport pilot privileges, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed.
Pilot and Flight Information
The pilot had not flown for several years. He recently completed training with a certified flight instructor and was on his first solo flight since that training. During the flight, he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings.
Sequence of Events
On the fourth landing attempt on runway 35, the pilot reported that he tried to settle the tailwheel too soon and with excessive speed. The airplane subsequently veered off the left side of the runway and ground looped. After departing the runway, the left landing gear impacted a metal obstruction. The fuselage structure, constructed of tubular steel, sustained substantial damage.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.