Incident Details
A pilot reported that during a wheel landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the tail wheel contacted the runway and immediately began a violent shaking. In an attempt to stop the oscillation, the pilot pushed forward on the control yoke to raise the tail, increased throttle, and then allowed the tail to touch down again. The shaking persisted, and the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot applied opposite rudder to correct the heading. Shortly after the airplane regained runway alignment, it veered to the right, departed the runway surface, and ground looped.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no pre-existing mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane prior to the accident. Additionally, the pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.
Weather Information
During the landing, the pilot reported wind from 010 degrees at 4 knots. However, the automated weather observation station at the airport, approximately 15 minutes before the accident, recorded wind from 160 degrees at 4 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 03.