What happened
While positioned approximately 10 to 12 miles north of the airport, the pilot contacted the tower to request airport advisories. The tower provided a straight-in approach for runway 16. The pilot did not recall hearing specific information regarding wind direction or velocity during this communication.
The pilot executed a left crosswind landing. Upon touchdown on the runway, the aircraft weather vaned to the left, triggering a ground loop. This maneuver resulted in damage to the right wing tip and the dorsal fin of the aircraft.
While the pilot reported observing surface winds exceeding 30 knots from the left rear—noting that terminal flags were flying straight out—the official weather records for Gillette-Campbell County Airport at 1755 indicated clear skies with winds from 080 degrees at 10 knots.