N199AG

On March 14, 1999, at 1338 hours mountain standard time, a Gallob Rans S4, N199AG, lost directional control during a touch-and-go landing and subsequently ground looped at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the aircraft, sustained minor injuries. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go's at the airport. The pilot did not file a flight plan for the local flight and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated in Mesa at 1300.

The pilot stated he had already completed two previous touch-and-go landings on runway 22 when he was attempting his third takeoff. He said a gust of wind caused the aircraft to become airborne as he lifted the tail. He said the left wing lifted into the air and he was unable to regain level flight. The pilot said in his written statement that the aircraft went into a steep right bank and turned right at approximately 10 feet above ground level (agl). Additionally, he said at 20 feet or so to the right of the runway, the right wingtip struck the ground. The aircraft nosed down; cartwheeled, and nosed over. He estimated that the airplane was going about 30-40 mph when this occurred. The pilot said he was holding full left aileron from the moment the left wing came up, with no effect. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he had noticed this tendency before, but that he was always able to make control inputs to correct it.

The winds reported at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot told FAA inspectors during his initial discussion concerning the accident that he thought the winds were gusting to 9-12 knots.

FAA airworthiness inspectors examined the aircraft and said that it appeared to be rigged properly.

The pilot noted on the Pilot/Operator report section, which asked for an operator/owner safety recommendation, that he "should have asked for an update of winds on each final approach."