Casualties unknown

Airplane Ground Loops During Pattern Work (N83517)

Reno, NV, US

On January 5, 2002, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N83517) was involved in an aviation accident near Reno, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to maintain directional control resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the tailwind. 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

A pilot performing a touch-and-go landing encountered a quartering left tailwind. During the full stall landing with full flaps, the airplane veered, and corrective rudder and brake inputs led to a ground loop, breaking the left axle and damaging the left spar.

Incident Details

The airplane experienced a ground loop while conducting routine pattern work. The pilot had completed one successful touch-and-go landing.

Sequence of Events

Approximately 300 feet from touchdown, the pilot noticed a quartering left tailwind. He considered performing a wheel landing with partial flaps but decided instead to execute a full stall landing with full flaps. The touchdown was smooth, but during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied left rudder but received no response. He then applied additional left rudder and some left brake. In response, the airplane immediately veered left at a 45-degree angle to the runway centerline. The pilot reacted with right rudder and brake, causing the airplane to turn right until it was pointed 30 degrees to the right of the centerline. As the airplane reached the centerline, it ground looped.

Damage

The left axle broke, and the left spar sustained substantial damage.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020123X00100. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.