GAA15CA045

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that about 700 feet into a landing roll, the left wing came up suddenly, and the airplane turned left. The airplane departed the runway to the left, flipped over, and subsequently sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot stated he believes a left crosswind gust was present during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that about 700 feet into a landing roll, the left wing came up suddenly, and the airplane turned left. The airplane departed the runway to the left, flipped over, and subsequently sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot stated he believes a left crosswind gust was present during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

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