Flight Sequence
The pilot first contacted the air traffic control tower when the aircraft was about 10 miles southwest of the airport. The controller instructed the pilot to enter a left traffic pattern for runway 23, and informed him that the winds were from 330 degrees at 10 knots. While abeam the threshold on the downwind leg, the pilot was cleared to land and informed that the winds had shifted to 340 degrees at 7 knots, with the wind velocity increased to 18 knots. The pilot then requested to enter a right downwind for runway 30. This request was approved, and the pilot was told that the winds were now variable from 300 to 030 degrees, ranging from 10 to 18 knots.
Wind Conditions
While on final approach for runway 30, the pilot was informed that the winds had shifted to 020 degrees at 15 knots. The final wind check before landing indicated that the winds were from 030 degrees at 16 knots. The pilot reported that approximately 15 miles southwest of Elko, he had noticed lightning coming from a cloud 2 to 3 miles northeast of the airport. He also stated that around the same time, an airplane that had just departed reported experiencing major updrafts and downdrafts east of the airport.
Landing
The aircraft touched down and bounced, then veered toward the left edge of the runway. According to the pilot, as he attempted to correct for the left drift, the right wing rose up and the aircraft crossed the runway in a right arc on the left main wheel. The aircraft then ground looped at the right edge of the runway.