Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane which resulted in a ground loop. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty crosswind condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 8, 2003, at 1017 central standard time, an Aviat, A-1 Husky, N96033, experienced a landing gear collapse following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 12R (6,997 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), Cahokia, Illinois. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Creve Coeur, Missouri, at 0945.
The pilot reported the wind shifted during the landing and the airplane swerved on the runway. He stated he added a little power to straighten out the airplane, but he "ran out" of aileron authority. The airplane continued off the runway where the landing gear collapsed.
The local winds reported at CPS, at 0853, were 180 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. At 0953, the winds were 180 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and at 1053, the winds were from 200 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots.
According to the Aviat, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the A-1 Husky is 15 miles per hour.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI03LA091