Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor to the accident was wind gusts.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the landing roll, there was a gust of wind from the right side. The airplane veered to the right and the pilot tried to correct with rudder and braking control. The airplane continued off the runway and ground looped in the soft soil.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 15, 1994, at 0845 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180G, N4734U, ground looped during the landing roll at the Cut Bank Airport, Cut Bank, Montana, during a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight had departed from Lethbridge, Canada, on September 15, 1994, at 0805. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he made a three point landing on runway 22. During the landing roll, the pilot stated that there was a gust of wind from the right side and the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied left brake and rudder control, however, the airplane continued off the runway and ground looped in the soft soil. The wind after the accident was reported from 260 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 16 knots. -