LAX05LA236

The experimental tail wheel equipped airplane ground looped and nosed over during landing. According to the pilot, the airplane bounced slightly upon touchdown, and as it settled to the ground the second time, the airplane lurched to the right. The pilot added power and more left rudder, but that failed to correct the deviation. The airplane departed the runway, nosed over, and landed upside down. The right main landing gear wheel left a tire skid mark on the runway surface. The wind was reported at 7 knots and 20 degrees to the right from the runway centerline. The pilot said he believed that the right brake locked up on landing.

On July 16, 2005, about 0535 mountain standard time, an experimental Sergent Great Lakes 2T1A, N24LR, nosed over during landing on runway 7L at Phoenix-Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Deer Valley about 0530. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot submitted a written report. He stated that the approach for the first landing was normal, and the airplane was on centerline. The tail wheel equipped airplane bounced slightly upon touchdown. About 1/2 second after the wheels settled, the airplane lurched to the right. He added power and more left rudder, but that failed to correct the deviation. The airplane departed the runway, flipped forward, and landed upside down. The pilot secured the master switch and fuel supply. He released the five-point harness, and exited the airplane.

The pilot stated that the first person on scene was a retired army airport fireman. The retiree noted that there were skid marks on the runway from the point of touchdown of the right main landing gear to the point where that gear left the runway. The pilot did not recall using the brakes at all, and believed the right brake locked up during landing.

The pilot reported accumulating a total of 892 hours of flight time, of which 18 hours were logged in the accident airplane make and model. Of the 18 total hours in the Great Lakes, only 2 were accumulated as the pilot-in-command. He reported having a tail wheel endorsement.

The weather observation facility located at the airport reported the wind from 090 degrees at 7 knots at 0553.

Chapter 8 of the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8033-3A), under the section titled "Ground Loop," indicates that a ground loop is an "uncontrolled turn during ground operations that may occur while taxiing for takeoff, but especially during the after-landing roll. Drift or weathervaning does not always cause a ground loop, although these things may cause the initial swerve. Careless use of the rudder, and uneven ground surface, or a soft spot that retards on main wheel of the airplane may also cause a swerve."