Summary
On September 03, 2016, a Stropki Paul OUTBACK (N56P) was involved in an incident near Dalton, OH. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane stated that during landing, the airplane did not want to "settle" to the runway due to gusting winds. He further stated that upon touchdown the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and right wing lift strut.
The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the northwest, showed that about 15 minutes before the accident the wind was variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and few clouds at 4700 feet above ground level.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA507. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N56P.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane stated that during landing, the airplane did not want to "settle" to the runway due to gusting winds. He further stated that upon touchdown the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and right wing lift strut.
The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the northwest, showed that about 15 minutes before the accident the wind was variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and few clouds at 4700 feet above ground level. However, the pilot reported the wind at the accident site as 170 degrees true, 8 knots, gusts to 20 knots, and he was landing runway 18.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA507