On July 4, 1999, a Cessna 140 (registration N3579V) was involved in an aviation accident near Sitka, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors in the accident were a crosswind, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing touch-and-go landings in a tail wheel airplane experienced a ground loop after a crosswind lifted the left wing. The right wing struck the runway, causing damage to the wing spar and gear attach point.
Accident Details
A certificated private pilot was performing touch-and-go landings in a tail wheel equipped airplane. During the landing roll, a 90-degree crosswind from the left lifted the left wing. The pilot applied left aileron and right rudder in an effort to correct the situation. However, the tail of the airplane began to veer to the right, turning the nose of the airplane to the left. The airplane subsequently ground looped to the left, and the right wing struck the runway surface.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in damage to the right wing spar and the right gear attach point. No other damage was reported.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accrued a total of 86 flight hours, with 33.2 hours as pilot-in-command, and 31.2 hours in the accident airplane make and model.