Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, while landing on runway 14 at Wharton Municipal airport, Wharton, Texas, he 'lost control' of the airplane and it ground looped. Damage was sustained to the left wing, the engine mount, the left main landing gear attaching point, and left aileron.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 19, 1996, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N9131A, registered to and operated by a private owner, sustained substantial damage during landing near Wharton, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated near Laporte, Texas. The pilot reported that, while landing on runway 14 at Wharton Municipal airport, Wharton, Texas, he "lost control" of the airplane and it ground looped. Damage was sustained to the left wing, the engine mount, the left main landing gear attaching point, and left aileron. The pilot notified the NTSB of the accident by telephone three days following the accident. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed NTSB form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report) were unsuccessful. -