Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a ground loop.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On December 13, 2004, about 1328 Pacific standard time, a Classic Aircraft Corporation, Waco YMF, N95JD, ground looped during landing rollout at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara, California. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, and it was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from San Carlos, California, about 1030.
The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was aware the local wind was from 220 degrees, at 7 knots, when he landed on runway 25. The pilot indicated his touchdown was normal, but during rollout he lost directional control when the wind changed its direction and/or a wind gust was encountered. The pilot stated that his total experience flying conventional gear airplanes was about 27.9 hours.
At 1253, the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport reported that the surface wind was from 190 degrees, at 4 knots. At 1353, the reported wind direction was variable, and its speed was 6 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX05CA052