Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind gusts and his failure to maintain directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was drifting left toward the runway turnoff following a successful landing on runway 33. The winds were reported from 040 at 8 knots, with occasional gusts to 12 knots. As the aircraft neared the turnoff, it suddenly and sharply ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft was inspected by an FAA inspector, who found no evidence of fatigue or corrosion. The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra tires.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 1, 1997, at 1600 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7764D, ground looped and collapsed one main landing gear while taxiing at the Page, Arizona, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal cross-country flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated at Hurricane, Utah, on the day of the accident at an unknown time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was drifting left toward the runway turnoff following a successful landing on runway 33. The winds were reported from 040 at 8 knots, with occasional gusts to 12 knots. As the aircraft neared the turnoff, it suddenly and sharply ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft was moved to Spanish Fork Flying Service in Flying Fork, Utah, for repairs. The aircraft was inspected at the request of the NTSB by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office. According to the FAA inspector, no evidence of fatigue or corrosion were noted visually. The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra tires. -