Luscombe 8A, N2850K; accident occurred June 12, 2016 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana -Kathryn's Report

http://registry.faa.gov/N2850K

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA South Bend FSDO-17

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA307
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, June 11, 2016 in Valparaiso, IN
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/14/2016
Aircraft: LUSCOMBE 8, registration: N2850K
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the airplane bounced, subsequently the leaf spring on the tail wheel broke midspan. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered to the right despite full left rudder deflection and brake application, which resulted in a ground loop, left main landing gear collapse, and substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's improper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, failure of the tailwheel suspension leaf spring, a ground loop, and substantial damage to the left wing.