Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During takeoff with a 17 knot crosswind, the aircraft became airborne too early and then drifted to the right of the runway. During the attempted recovery, the right wing hit the ground and the aircraft ground looped.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 30, 1997, at 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180B, N929AE, crashed during takeoff from Spanish Fork, Utah. The airplane was being operated under visual flight rules as a personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged but the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane had departed Corona, California earlier that day and had stopped at Spanish Fork for refueling. The intended destination for the accident flight was Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The pilot stated that he had a 17 knot crosswind from the left during the takeoff. The aircraft became airborne too early and then drifted to the right of the runway. The airplane then struck the ground and ground looped. -