Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control resulting in a ground loop. Contributing factors included the high winds and crosswind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he was returning to the airport due to an approaching thunderstorm. The pilot entered traffic for runway 15, and while on final, noticed that the wind had shifted to favor runway 33. During the landing roll to runway 33 (3,400 feet by 60 feet, asphalt), the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the airplane ground looped. Both wings separated, the propeller was bent, and the horizontal stabilizer was crushed and wrinkled. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airframe or airplane systems.
The closest official weather observation station was Uninta County Airport/Burns Field (EVW), Evanston, Wyoming, located 45 nautical miles south of the accident site. The routine aviation weather report (METAR) for EVW, issued at 1053, reported, winds, 230 degrees at 25 knots, gusting 31 knots. The pilot estimated the gust of wind at 40 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# DEN06CA088