Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 8, 2003, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 180K, N2732K, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a ground-loop while landing on runway 27 (3,451 feet by 49 feet, asphalt), at the St. Charles Airport (3SQ), St. Charles, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at 1045 from a private airstrip near Wentzville, Missouri.
According to the pilot, he had checked the weather 20 minutes before the accident. He stated that he estimated there would be a 9 knot crosswind on runway 27 at 3SQ. The pilot stated that during the landing roll the aircraft passed a row of hangers. The pilot reported that as the airplane passed the last hanger the left wing started to "float." The pilot stated that he added rudder and aileron control to correct the situation but was unable to do so. The airplane subsequently ground looped.
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures.
The pilot had logged a total of 230.4 hours, of which 33.2 were in the same make and model as the accident aircraft.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI03LA081