NTSB Factual Report

On July 7, 2001, approximately 1020 mountain daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped experimental Tibert Baby Lakes biplane, N94AT, experienced a ground loop during the landing roll at Stevensville Airport, Stevensville, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed the same location about one hour earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, who had accumulated about three hours total time in this make and model aircraft prior to this flight, it had been about 18 months since he had last flown the aircraft. After takeoff, he flew around the area for about an hour performing maneuvers that would reacquaint him with the aircraft's characteristics. He then returned to the airport for landing. During the landing attempt, the touchdown was uneventful, but the aircraft started drifting to the left during the landing roll. Therefore, the pilot applied right rudder to correct the left drift, but "over-corrected." Before he was able to bring the aircraft back into alignment with the runway, "...the side-load on the left gear caused it to collapse." Immediately after the collapse of the gear, the lower left wing impacted the surface of the runway.

According to the pilot, it was a calm, clear day.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped aircraft during the landing roll. Factors include the pilot's low total time in this make and model aircraft and his lack of recent experience in this make and model aircraft.