SEA94LA212

Witnesses observed the airplane circle the golf course at low altitude before the landing approach was made. Just before touch down, the airplane clipped trees. The right wing dropped to the ground and the airplane ground looped before coming to rest.

On August 15, 1994, approximately 1300 hours Pacific daylight time (PDT), an experimental Avid Magnum, N180AB, registered to Mr. Robert Fudold, and being flown by Kenneth D. Probst, a private pilot, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees and ground looping the airplane while landing on a golf course near Woodland, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been conducted in accordance with 14CFR91, and originated from the Woodland Airport (WA71), Woodland, Washington.

The pilot reported that he was delivering the aircraft to a facility for the installation of pontoons. The accident flight, however, was for a lunch appointment with an acquaintance at the Woodland Golf Course.

The pilot reported that the bungee cord restraining the right main landing gear became detached during the landing, and directional control of the aircraft was lost, and the airplane ground-looped.

Witnesses at the golf course reported that the airplane circled the golf course at low altitude, approximately 30 feet above ground level, before setting up for the landing approach. Prior to touch down, the witnesses observed the airplane clip trees that lined the right side of fairway 9. After the collision with the trees, the airplane "turned dramatically to the right and dropped its wing (right side) to the ground thus causing a ground loop where the plane pivoted in a circle." The witnesses stated that when the pilot was asked if he was making an emergency landing, the pilot stated no and that the golf course was an FAA approved landing strip.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office reported that this is not an FAA approved landing strip, however, landings are made with the property owner's permission.