N572TB

On December 28, 2005, about 1145 Hawaiian standard time, a Waco Classic YMF-5C, N572TB, ground looped and dragged a wing at Lihue Airport, Lihue, Hawaii. Fly Kauai, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local for hire sightseeing flight departed Lihue at 1045. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated he was returning from a sightseeing flight with two passengers. The control tower cleared him to land on runway 21. The pilot said his view of the windsock was blocked when he turned downwind to base. When he touched down, the airplane bounced and began to weather cock to the left. The right wing tip made contact with the ground, and the airplane departed the runway into the weeds and ground looped. At the time of the accident, the winds at the airport were from 110 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.