Accident Piper PA-18-135 N89018, Thursday 3 January 2019

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Date:	Thursday 3 January 2019
Time:	15:25
Type:	Piper PA-18-135
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N89018
MSN:	18-3583
Year of manufacture:	1954
Total airframe hrs:	4680 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-A2B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Longmont-Vance Brand Airport, CO (KLMO) - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Longmont-Vance Brand Airport, CO (KLMO)
Destination airport:	Longmont-Vance Brand Airport, CO (KLMO)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that it was his first flight as pilot-in-command of the tundra tire- and tailwheel-equipped airplane. While on the fourth three-point landing to the concrete runway, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder and attempted to return to the runway centerline and then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to veer right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, and the left wing struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The owner of the airplane, who was seated in the rear seat, 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 landing.

Accident investigation: