20260514006339A

Pilot and passenger entered the plane at pfc, started up at 15:57 local time, and taxiied to hold-short of rwy 14. A preflight runup was then conducted noting at 1700 RPM the left magneto drop was 50 RPM, while the right was 150 RPM. The pilot determined this within limitations. The winds were determined preferrable for a rwy 14 departure. The aircraft took off at 16:02 local time, climbing out with a right 45 degree turn toward the coast. On climb out the pilot reports feeling the engine RPM dropping and overall running abnormally. He reduced power to 2000 RPM and continued at 1300 feet performing an inflight magneto check. The left magneto showed a 50 to 100 RPM drop. The right magneto drop was over 500 RPM. While using right magneto, increasing throttle would not increase engine RPM. The pilot briefed his passenger and decided to turn back, following the coast into a right downwind for rwy 14 at pfc. At an altitude of 1300 feet,

Establishing a right downwind, the pilot noted the windsock showed the same indications seen during takeoff. On final the pilot sideslipped the airplane to lose altitude, leaving the slip at what he believed was a good glidepath altitude and speed of 60MPH.

He performed a wheel landing at 16:14 local time with tail low, pushing it level as the main gear touched down. He tried to maintain directional control by applying rudder input and held right aileron to account for the right crosswind component. He then released fwd/neutral elevator pressure and started lowering the tail by moving the stick slightly aft. Before the tail touched down the airplane turned right. He applied left rudder to counteract but felt no response. Applying more left rudder the aircraft turned sharply left. Brakes were applied in full and the tail rose sharply hitting the propeller and continuing to nose over landing upside down. The pilot and passenger exited without injury after performing the shutdown check list.