Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 6800; Flight Crew Type 5
Human-Machine Interface
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Human Factors
Initially aircraft bounced upon landing. Power was added and a smooth touchdown of the main landing gear was accomplished. On landing rollout as the tail settled; a grinding noise was heard. Differential braking was initially effective; but eventually; the aircraft ground-looped hard to the right and the landing gear collapsed; causing the propeller to strike the ground and stopping the engine. Upon disembarking the aircraft; I looked and found that the tailwheel had departed the aircraft. The tailwheel was found on the runway near the point of the initial touchdown. No injuries were sustained by anyone during the course of these events. Upon further examination; the tailwheel was found to have had a faulty weld that lacked penetration. There was no documentation found of any previous repairs having been made to that portion of the aircraft. Improper and/or undocumented repairs under previous owner(s) of this aircraft were a primary factor in the incident.
Pilot of a tailwheel aircraft experiences a bounced landing followed by a smooth landing until the tail is lowered to the runway. A grinding noise is heard followed by a ground loop resulting in gear collapse and a propeller strike.