NTSB Factual Report

The pilot reported that he had recently purchased the airplane and was practicing full stall landings in the tail wheel equipped airplane. During his sixth landing of the day, he decided to try a wheel landing. The pilot said that as the airplane touched down, the airplane acted "kind of squirrelly" and pulled to the left towards the runway edge lights. The pilot attempted to abort the landing by applying full throttle; however, the airplane exited the runway edge and the left main landing gear struck sage brush. The airplane subsequently ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that examination of the runway revealed a long curved skid mark from the left main landing gear "as if I [the pilot] may have been touching the brake." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the airplane's flight control and brake systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent activation of brakes upon touchdown, resulting in a loss of directional control.