Amateur-built MR S1S N457CF accident near Colorado Springs, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing rollout due to failure of the tailwheel assembly for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he made a normal touchdown, but during the rollout the airplane began to yaw to the left. He attempted to correct his loss of directional control by applying full right rudder and right brake. Despite his efforts to straighten the airplane's path, the airplane began to bounce/skip to the side and subsequently ground looped. During the impact sequence, the lower right wing tip, aileron and aft section of the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the tailwheel spring attach bolt had pulled through the fuselage structure where it was mounted. The bolt was intact and there was no obvious damage to the threads. It could not be determined why the bolt separated prior to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA361 for the full record.