Accident Details
A pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. Upon touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder in an attempt to correct the veer, but the airplane continued moving to the right. The pilot then initiated a go-around, but was still unable to maintain directional control. He subsequently aborted the go-around, which resulted in a ground loop. During the ground loop, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator.
Pilot Statements
In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) on July 12, the pilot stated that the right brake may have malfunctioned, but he thought it more probable that he had lost control. In a statement provided to the NTSB IIC on September 12, the pilot reported that an examination of the right main wheel brake assembly at the accident site revealed no deficiencies.
Recommendations
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had not attempted a go-around and had used more aggressive braking on the left main wheel.