What happened
During the flight, the pilot encountered enroute winds that were stronger than anticipated, which led to a state of disorientation. Recognizing the situation and noting that the aircraft was low on fuel, the pilot contacted Flight Service Station (FSS) personnel to request ADF steer assistance to an airport.
However, the FSS specialist provided an incorrect heading that directed the aircraft further away from the intended destination. Although the specialist made multiple attempts to re-establish contact with the pilot to correct this navigational error, all attempts were unsuccessful.
Approximately 43 minutes later, facing near fuel exhaustion, the pilot performed an emergency landing at a small airstrip located roughly 70 miles northeast of the original destination. During the landing phase, the aircraft encountered an estimated 35-knot crosswind. This wind caused the pilot to lose directional control, resulting in a ground loop of the airplane. The aircraft and crew were not injured.