Flight History
The pilot arrived at Redmond and was instructed to enter traffic for runway 28. During the first landing attempt, the aircraft bounced moderately, prompting a go-around. On the second approach, the pilot noted increased and variable winds. Although the flare and initial rollout were satisfactory, the continuing rollout swerved left and did not respond well to correction, leading to another go-around. The pilot later reported that evidence on the aircraft indicated contact with a runway light, though he was unsure if contact occurred during this attempt.
After the second go-around, the pilot contacted the tower and reported difficulty with crosswind on runway 28. The tower subsequently offered runway 4. On the third approach, the pilot reported placing the aircraft with good speed control at the center of the runway while holding against a moderate crosswind from the left. However, within a few feet, a crosswind (seemingly a quartering tailwind) from the right lifted the right wing. The aircraft then arced immediately to the left and ground looped at low speed. During the ground loop, the tailwheel collapsed.
Weather Conditions
The pilot stated that at the approximate time of the accident, two windsocks were visible indicating moderately strong winds in 180-degree opposite directions on the same runway. According to a special weather observation taken at Redmond at 1310, winds were variable between 280 and 010 degrees true at 8 knots.
Aircraft Damage
The tailwheel collapsed during the ground loop. No other damage was specified.