Incident Overview
A pilot was practicing three-point takeoffs and landings in a tailwheel-equipped airplane in preparation for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required examination. After touchdown, the pilot experienced a loss of control when the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reported attempting to correct to the right but heard an abnormal noise from the tailwheel, which then locked.
Examination Findings
An FAA inspector examined the accident site. The airplane had run off the right side of the runway, struck a taxiway sign, traveled approximately 50 yards beyond the sign, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage: the fabric was torn in numerous places, the propeller was broken, the forward left wing strut was bent, the right landing gear was broken and bent up under the fuselage, and the airframe showed evidence of torsional deformation.
Post-Accident Inspection
Further examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls. No binding was discovered in the control system. The tailwheel was found to move freely to the left and right with rudder pedal application. No specific cause for the loss of control was identified in the source material.