N8755K

On March 27, 2004, at 0940 central standard time, a Stinson 108-1 tail-wheel equipped airplane, N8755K, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control while landing at the Slidell Airport (ASD), near Slidell, Louisiana. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The single-engine airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed the Paul Pittman Memorial Airport, near Tylertown, Mississippi, approximately 0900, and was destined for ASD.

According to an FAA inspector, who was located at the airport at the time of the accident, the airplane touched down on runway 18. Runway 18 is a 4,058 foot long and 100 foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot encountered a left crosswind, subsequently, the airplane ground looped, and flipped over. Examination of the airplane by the inspector revealed the wing spar had fractured. The inspector reported the wind was gusty at the time of the accident.

At 0953, the ASD automated surface observing system reported the wind from 140 degrees at 10 knots.