Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot flared high and failed to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's unfamiliarity with the airplane and the crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a visual approach, the private pilot recognized a quartering crosswind for the landing runway. The pilot elected to continue the landing for experience since he had only nine previous landings in this airplane. According to the pilot "I either flared high or allowed the airplane to balloon up after the flare. The airplane dropped maybe three feet after the stall, and after the bounce, it came back to the runway in a slight crab." The pilot attempted to correct for the drift, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and ground looped. The pilot was not injured. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right gear had collapsed and the right wing spar had bent.
Source record
Factual narrative
During a visual approach, the private pilot recognized a quartering crosswind for the landing runway. The pilot elected to continue the landing for experience since he had only nine previous landings in this airplane. According to the pilot "I either flared high or allowed the airplane to balloon up after the flare. The airplane dropped maybe three feet after the stall, and after the bounce, it came back to the runway in a slight crab." The pilot attempted to correct for the drift, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and ground looped. The pilot was not injured. Examination of the airplane revealed the right gear collapsed and the right wing spar bent.