The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped Piper PA12 reported that during the landing roll at the airport in Manassas, Virginia, the airplane veered to the right.
He attempted to correct the right veer with left rudder pedal but, “My foot slipped as I attempted to correct.”
The airplane remained on the runway and ground looped to the right. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing hit the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
This August 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
The comment that “proper footwear” is important is so very true. I learned in a tail dragger and have only flown them for forty odd years and have my choice in “flying shoes”. What is like is a super light weight sneaker with a sole I can feel through. Could be a superstition, but this combination makes me much better?
Foot wear is very important when hand propping too. Perhaps more.
OMG I JUST HAD A SIMULAR EVENT AND I HAVE BEEN FLYING TAIL WHEEL PLANES SINCE 1955. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS SOMEHOW I MANAGED TO GET MY RIGHT FOOT ON PART OF MY RIGHT RUDDER PEDDAL AND PARTLY ON THE COPILOTS LEFT PEDDAL. SO WHEN MY 1948 PIPER VAGABOND STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT DURING THE NORMAL LANDING PUSHING MY RIGHT FOOT DID NOTHING AND THE PLANE SPUN AROUND TWICE. DAMAGE WASN’T TOO BAD. UST A SMALL RIP IN THE LOWER WING FABRIC. .GOES TO PROVE,,IF YOU FLY A TAIL WHEEL PLANE IT ISN’T IF YOU WILL GROUND LOOP IT’S WHEN YOU WILL.. PLANE IS FIXED AND i AM BACK FLYING BUT IT SURE MADE AN IMPRESSION ON MY AND MY FRIENDS. I AM STILL FLYING AND HAND PROPPING MY 73 YEAR OLD PLANE AT THE AGE OF 91 . AKA: HARRY LANDING
Something as simple as proper foot wear might have prevented this.