CHI03LA195

Factual narrative

On July 5, 2003, at 1550 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ruminski Ultra Pup, N124TR, piloted by a non-certificated pilot sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during landing roll on runway 24 (5,500 feet by 150 feet, asphalt), at Richmond Municipal Airport (RID), Richmond, Indiana. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from Mettel Field Airport, Connersville, Indiana, at 1500. According to the pilot, he arrived at Richmond Airport approximately 1530. The pilot reported setting up for landing on runway 24. The pilot stated there was a left quartering headwind, and he "had to crab into the wind line to stay lined up on the runway." He reported that as he flared he was not "square" with the runway and touched down "a little sideways." The pilot stated, " The tail got ahead of my inputs and I ground looped the aircraft." Butler County Regional Airport, located 28 nautical miles east of RID reported weather at 1453 eastern standard time as: wind variable at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles and clear. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. The airplane was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing. The un-certificated pilot reported a left quartering headwind while attempting to land. He stated that he had to "crab" into the wind. According to the pilot, he was not square with the runway and touched down sideways and the airplane ground looped. The weather was reported as: wind variable at 3 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12