27 Feb 2020: RAF SE5A — Training Services Inc

27 Feb 2020: RAF SE5A — Training Services Inc

No fatalities • Kingsbury, TX, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control, which resulted in a ground loop.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that the accident happened while landing the conventional (tailwheel) gear equipped World War I replica fighter airplane after a test flight. He stated that the flight was uneventful until the initial touchdown which was harder than expected and the airplane bounced to the left. He was able to correct back to the right but the airplane bounced a second time to the left. When the airplane came down the third time it ground looped. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies that led to the accident.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Landing flare — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 220/04kt, vis 9sm

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