Casualties unknown

Light Crosswind Leads to Ground Loop During Landing (N5708G)

Napoleon, ND, US

On July 29, 1996, a Cessna 188 (registration N5708G) was involved in an aviation accident near Napoleon, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper use of the rudder to correct the airplane's drift to the right. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During landing with a light left crosswind, a pilot corrected by lowering the left wing and using opposite rudder. The airplane drifted right; full left rudder caused a ground loop to the right, resulting in wing and landing gear damage.

Incident Details

During the landing phase, the pilot reported encountering a light crosswind from the left. To compensate for the crosswind, the pilot employed a crosswind correction technique: lowering the left wing while applying opposite rudder to keep the aircraft's nose aligned with the runway centerline. According to the pilot's account, the airplane began to drift, or "skip," to the right. In response, the pilot applied full left rudder input. This action precipitated a ground loop to the right.

Aircraft Damage

An on-scene inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the left wing. The left wing main spar and skin exhibited wrinkles. Additionally, the left main landing gear leg was observed protruding through the right wing.

Pilot Actions

The pilot described the crosswind condition as light. The specific steps taken—lowering the left wing and applying opposite rudder—are standard crosswind landing procedures. The subsequent application of full left rudder was an attempt to correct the rightward drift but resulted in a loss of directional control, leading to the ground loop.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06194. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.