Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot encountered a gusty crosswind during the landing flare, touched down abruptly, and lost directional control. The aircraft ground looped, which collapsed the right main landing gear and damaged the propeller and right wing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 9, 1995, at 1120 hours Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N1050K, sustained substantial damage during a landing roll ground loop at Columbia, California. The aircraft was operated by the pilot and was on a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. Neither the certificated private pilot nor her passenger were injured. The flight originated from the Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, California, about 1010 on the day of the accident. The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered a gusty crosswind during the landing flare. She said that the aircraft touched down abruptly and that she lost directional control. After directional control was lost, the aircraft ground looped. The right main landing gear collapsed and both the propeller and right wing contacted the ground. The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft without difficulty. Downdrafts were not forecast at the destination airport. After the aircraft came to rest, fuel was observed leaking out around the left main tank fuel cap. -