Event LAX05CA052

Factual narrative

On December 13, 2004, about 1328 Pacific standard time, a Classic Aircraft Corporation, Waco YMF, N95JD, ground looped during landing rollout at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara, California. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, and it was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from San Carlos, California, about 1030. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was aware the local wind was from 220 degrees, at 7 knots, when he landed on runway 25. The pilot indicated his touchdown was normal, but during rollout he lost directional control when the wind changed its direction and/or a wind gust was encountered. The pilot stated that his total experience flying conventional gear airplanes was about 27.9 hours. At 1253, the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport reported that the surface wind was from 190 degrees, at 4 knots. At 1353, the reported wind direction was variable, and its speed was 6 knots. During landing rollout, the pilot lost directional control of his conventional gear airplane, and it ground looped. The pilot was aware that upon landing on runway 25 the local wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot's touchdown was normal, but during rollout he lost directional control when a crosswind gust was encountered. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12