On May 4, 1986, a Piper J3 (registration N40782) operated by Fred J. Miller was involved in an aviation accident near Wauseon, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent inversion of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that a gust of wind lifted the left wing during rollout on runway 27, causing the aircraft to ground-loop and flip over inverted. The pilot stated waiting for better conditions could have prevented the accident.
What happened
The pilot reported attempting a landing on runway 27 with the wind coming from approximately 190 degrees at 15 miles per hour, gusting to 23 miles per hour. He executed what he described as a normal landing and was rolling out when a sudden gust of wind lifted the left wing. This aerodynamic force caused the aircraft to ground-loop violently. The accident sequence concluded with the aircraft flipping over into an inverted position.
Findings
The pilot acknowledged that the accident could have been prevented had he waited for more favorable wind conditions before attempting the landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent inversion of the aircraft.