NTSB Factual Report

On March 21, 2003, about 1640 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-135, N2474Z, ground looped during the landing roll at Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), Chandler, Arizona. The airplane was registered to a private individual, and Chandler Air Service was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Chandler about 1625. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he was attempting to perform practice touch-and-go takeoff and landings in the tail-wheel equipped airplane. During the first attempt, he configured the airplane for a normal tail-wheel landing and flared about 25 to 30 feet above ground level (agl). Upon touchdown, the airplane hit the runway hard and bounced back into the air. He attempted to recover by lowering the nose and executing a three-point landing. The airplane touched down again with the nose pointing to the left of runway centerline. Unable to return the airplane back to runway heading, the pilot continued to the left and departed off the runway into a dirt area. The airplane ground looped, and the right wing tip and right elevator made contact with the ground. The airplane came to rest upright with the engine running. The pilot uneventfully taxied back to the tie down area.

The damage the airplane incurred from the accident included a bent right elevator tip, a bent right wingtip, and a bend in the rear wing spar. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper flare and his failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor is the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.