On May 31, 2019, a Piper PA18 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Sparta, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground-loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch tundra tires experienced a ground loop during landing on an asphalt runway, causing the right main landing gear to collapse and substantial damage to the right wing.
Accident Description
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the aircraft was fitted with 26-inch tundra tires. During a landing on an asphalt runway, the airplane touched down and subsequently veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder and left brake to correct the deviation but overcorrected, causing the airplane to veer sharply to the left. This resulted in a ground loop to the left. As the airplane ground-looped, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing as a consequence of the ground loop. No other damage was reported.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained
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