Amateur-built CH601 N638RM accident near Worthington, Minnesota

Probable cause

The pilot's excessive brake application during the landing roll to avoid an animal on the runway, which resulted in a ground loop.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane with a gusting, left quartering headwind. He stated that during the landing roll, he saw a fox run across the runway in front of the airplane, so he applied hard pressure to the brakes. He added that the tailwheel spun around, the airplane violently twisted to the left, and the right main landing gear bent under the airplane. He taxied the airplane to the ramp with difficulty. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing immediately above the landing gear. The right tailwheel chain was broken. There was no evidence of an animal strike on the airplane and there was no carcass found on the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA206 for the full record.