Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of of directional control during landing roll following an encounter with a dust devil.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, he observed a dust element to the right of the runway. He then felt a violent lifting of the right wing and the airplane weathervaned into the wind. He applied full power, corrected with rudder, aileron and initiated a go-around, however, the right wing continued to lift, and the left wing impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 16 with wind from 210° at 7 knots. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.