Event GAA16CA260

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, full right rudder was applied to compensate for crosswind conditions. The pilot further reported that as a turn was made to exit the runway, the tail swung to the right and the airplane ground looped. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged after impacting terrain. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 300 degrees true at 9 knots, for the landing on runway 32. 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, full right rudder was applied to compensate for crosswind conditions. The pilot further reported that as a turn was made to exit the runway, the tail swung to the right and the airplane ground looped. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged after impacting terrain. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 300 degrees true at 9 knots, for the landing on runway 32. 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 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-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate