Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's loss of directional control in gusty tail wind conditions during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot landed on runway 03 with a tail wind from 170 to 200 degrees and lost directional control during the landing roll. The winds were 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots, with a density altitude of 7,800 feet. There was no reported mechanical problems with the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 14, 1995, at 1150 hours mountain standard time, an experimental Thorp T18, N8032Q, ground looped during a landing on runway 03 at Sedona, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time for the personal cross-country flight that originated from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the two occupants were not injured. The pilot reportedly filed a VFR flight plan before departing Santa Fe and there is no record of him receiving a weather briefing. The winds at Sedona at the time were reported to be from 170 to 200 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot did not file an accident report, nor did he report any mechanical problems with the aircraft. -