Event GAA16CA257

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane rolled over an uneven crest on the runway and the airplane became airborne. The pilot further reported that he encountered a crosswind gust and the left wing rose and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and ground looped. The left wing rear spar was substantially damaged. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 120 degrees true, at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots, for the landing on runway 16. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane rolled over an uneven crest on the runway and the airplane became airborne. The pilot further reported that he encountered a crosswind gust and the left wing rose and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and ground looped. The left wing rear spar was substantially damaged. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 120 degrees true, at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots, for the landing on runway 16. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

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