Loss of directional control during crosswind landing in tailwheel aircraft (N66266)

What happened

The accident occurred while the pilot was operating a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. The flight sequence began with two successful touch-and-go landings followed by one full-stop landing. During the third landing attempt, the pilot reported losing directional control of the airplane. This loss of control resulted in a ground loop, which caused substantial damage to the airframe.

The weather conditions at the time included a significant crosswind component. The pilot was attempting to land in a 30-degree crosswind. Prior to the accident, the pilot had logged only 1.7 hours of solo flight time specifically in tailwheel aircraft. This limited experience in this specific aircraft configuration likely contributed to the difficulty in maintaining control during the high-stress crosswind landing.

The investigation

The primary mechanical finding was substantial damage to the airplane resulting from the ground loop. No other mechanical failures or pre-impact anomalies were reported in the narrative. The investigation focused on the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the final approach and touchdown phase under crosswind conditions.