Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure by the pilot to maintain directional control which resulted in a ground loop. A factor was crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Following a series of touch-and-go landings, the pilot made a final landing on runway 17r with winds from 060 degrees at 7 knots. During landing roll, the aircraft ground looped and both lower wings and the propeller came in contact with the ground. One wing also struck a runway light. The pilot reported that he thought he encountered a gusting crosswind which exceeded the control capability of the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 14, 1995, at 1400 mountain daylight time, a Boeing B75N1, N735YP, sustained substantial damage during landing at Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this 14 CFR Part 91 local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he was making a full stop landing on runway 17R, following a series of touch-and go-landings and ground looped during landing roll. According to the FAA investigator who conducted the on-scene examination of the aircraft, both lower wings and the propeller sustained damage and a runway light was damaged. There were no reported wind gusts during the time period when the aircraft accident occurred and the reported wind was 060 degrees magnetic at 7 knots. The pilot (see the attached statement) said that in his opinion, he encountered wind gusts which exceeded the control capacity of the aircraft. -