Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing with a crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll the airplane encountered wind gusts. The pilot further reported that his "attention evidently wandered" and he did not correct for the wind gusts quick enough. Subsequently, the airplane weather vaned into the wind and ground looped. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the local weather on the airfield, about the time of the accident, recorded the wind from 030 degrees true, at 14 nautical miles per hour (knots). The pilot landed on runway 30.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll the airplane encountered wind gusts. The pilot further reported that his "attention evidently wandered" and he did not correct for the wind gusts quick enough. Subsequently, the airplane weather vanned into the wind and ground looped. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the local weather on the airfield, about the time of the accident, recorded the wind from 030 degrees true, at 14 nautical miles per hour (knots). The pilot landed runway 30.