What happened
The pilot was attempting to land on runway 17 when they encountered difficulties maintaining directional control due to crosswind conditions. As the aircraft touched down, the left main landing gear made contact with the soft terrain situated alongside the runway rather than remaining on the paved surface. This contact caused the aircraft to ground loop, resulting in a loss of control.
The investigation
Investigators examined the accident site and the condition of the aircraft following the incident. The examination confirmed that the left main landing gear had struck the soft ground adjacent to the runway, which was the primary factor leading to the ground loop. No mechanical failures or pre-existing defects were identified as contributing factors to the loss of control.
Findings
The investigation determined that weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported by the nearest official aviation weather station located in Lawton, Oklahoma, approximately 16 miles northeast of the accident site. The wind was recorded from 150 degrees at 7 knots. While the wind speed was relatively light, the crosswind component likely contributed to the pilot's difficulty in maintaining directional control during the landing phase.
Safety message
Pilots should remain vigilant when landing in crosswind conditions, even when reported wind speeds are low. Proper crosswind landing techniques and awareness of runway surface conditions are essential to prevent ground loops and loss of directional control.