Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot failed to maintain directional control and the airplane ground looped.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 5, 2003, at 1550 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ruminski Ultra Pup, N124TR, piloted by a non-certificated pilot sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during landing roll on runway 24 (5,500 feet by 150 feet, asphalt), at Richmond Municipal Airport (RID), Richmond, Indiana. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from Mettel Field Airport, Connersville, Indiana, at 1500.
According to the pilot, he arrived at Richmond Airport approximately 1530. The pilot reported setting up for landing on runway 24. The pilot stated there was a left quartering headwind, and he "had to crab into the wind line to stay lined up on the runway." He reported that as he flared he was not "square" with the runway and touched down "a little sideways." The pilot stated, " The tail got ahead of my inputs and I ground looped the aircraft."
Butler County Regional Airport, located 28 nautical miles east of RID reported weather at 1453 eastern standard time as: wind variable at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles and clear.
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI03LA195