Accident Sequence
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane landed on a gravel road. After touchdown, while looking to the right, he inadvertently steered the airplane into a small ditch adjacent to the road. In an attempt to recover, he applied engine power to force the airplane back onto the road. However, as the airplane moved through the ditch, weeds became wrapped around the right main landing gear, causing it to lock. The locked landing gear prevented the wheel from rotating, leading to a ground loop. The airplane then nosed over.
Damage
Substantial damage was sustained to both wings and the empennage. The extent of damage required repair or replacement of these components.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that no mechanical failures or malfunctions existed prior to the accident that would have affected normal operation. He noted that the event was a result of his unintentional steering and the subsequent weed entanglement.