Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a direct crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while landing, he encountered a direct crosswind from the left. The pilot attempted to correct the landing, however, when the right wheel touched down, the airplane entered a ground loop. The airplane began to skid down the runway sideways towards a taxiway. Subsequently, the right wing lifted, the left main gear collapsed, and the left wing contacted the pavement which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 07 and he reported winds from 320 at 11 knots “with direct crosswind up to 14” knots.