Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 4, 1995, at 1945 central daylight time, a Cessna 180E, N8676X, sustained substantial damage while landing near Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the parachute jumping flight.
In the enclosed narrative history of the flight, the pilot stated that "the wind abruptly changed from approximately 220 to 270 degrees creating a strong crosswind causing the airplane to ground loop." Winds at Fayetteville, 11 miles south, were from 290 degrees at 19, gusting to 37 knots. Runway 18 was in use at the time of the accident. The pilot reported wind was from 270 degrees "creating a strong crosswind." In his enclosed report, he stated that he received his weather information from television and that a "storm was moving in."
According to the operator, the flight returned to the initial point of departure after aborting a parachute jumping exercise due to high winds in the area. The left wing spar was damaged and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA269