NTSB Factual Report

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a three-point landing on runway 4, but the airspeed was high, and the airplane bounced. The airplane then descended and landed on the main landing gear. As the airspeed decreased, and the tail wheel settled to the runway, the pilot felt that he did not have rudder authority and he mistakenly attempted to apply the heel brakes.

The accident airplane was equipped with toe brakes. The pilot's other airplane has heel brakes and he recalled that the heel brake application was instinctive.

The pilot reported that there was a crosswind, the airplane began pulling to the right, and he eventually applied the toe brakes, but the airplane ground-looped to the right.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer.

The METAR reported that the wind was from 130° at 7 knots and the skies were clear with 10 statute miles of visibility.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent incorrect brake application, which led to the loss of directional control.