Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor to the accident was a tailwind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that a landing was made with a left quartering tailwind of approximately six knots. During the landing roll, everything was normal for the first 100 feet; however, the pilot stated that the wind suddenly increased and he was unable to maintain control of the airplane as it ground looped to the left and ran off the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 18, 1994, at 1058 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA- 18-150, N7789P, ground looped after landing at the Freidman Memorial Airport, Hailey, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The personal flight had departed from Galena, Idaho, on August 18, 1994, at 1030. The pilot reported that a landing was made on runway 31 with a left quartering tailwind that the control tower reported as five to six knots. During the landing roll, the pilot stated that everything was normal for the first 100 feet, then the tailwind increased to approximately ten knots. The pilot was unable to maintain control as the airplane ground looped, collapsing the right main landing gear and damaging the right wing. At 1100, the control tower reported that the winds were from 180 degrees at five knots. -