NTSB Factual Report

On August 5, 2006, at approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Piggott Bearhawk experimental homebuilt airplane, N347JP, was substantially damaged during a ground loop event while landing at William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM), Port Angeles, Washington. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight which had originated approximately 5 minutes before the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The pilot said that he had done several stop-and-go landings; he then made a full stop for a respite. When he taxied out for his next departure on runway 08, he experienced no steering problems. As he took off, the airplane vibrated briefly. The pilot performed another landing and had a firm touch down. He said the aircraft immediately veered left and full right rudder had no effect. He said that his feet had slipped off the aircraft's toe brakes during the landing, so differential braking was not possible. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and aileron were bent.

Postaccident examination of the tail wheel assembly revealed that the clevis which connected the left tail wheel spring to the wheel's steering arm was missing. Additionally, serpentine skid marks were found on the runway that appeared to be the result of a tail wheel shimmy. The pilot reported that the wind during his first landing was from 350 degrees at 6 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of directional control as a result of the disconnected tail wheel steering system, which led to an inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll.