CEN25LA235

Factual narrative

The pilot flew to the airport to perform a touch and go landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and the airfield’s windsock showed a southwest wind at 5 to 7 knots. He chose runway 25 and increased his landing speed due to rough air during the approach. He flew the airplane down to a 3-point landing on the runway. After landing, the wind shifted from the south and the airplane drifted to the right, so the pilot applied left rudder to correct. He added power to increase rudder effectiveness and attempted to takeoff. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane as it entered a ground loop. He attempted to regain control of the airplane, but it departed the left side of the runway, went over an embankment. The airplane became airborne, stalled, and impacted the terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Sudden wind shift-Effect on operation
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot