What happened
The incident occurred when a student pilot attempted a crosswind landing on runway 35L. During the landing roll, the aircraft encountered gusty wind conditions that compromised directional control. The loss of control caused the airplane to ground loop to the left side.
The impact resulted in substantial structural damage to the airframe. The right wing spar and the right aileron were bent out of alignment. Additionally, the right main landing gear collapsed under the stress of the maneuver, and the fuselage sustained buckling damage.
The investigation
Investigation of the environmental conditions at the time of the accident revealed specific wind data. The recorded wind was from 040 degrees at a speed of 7 knots. The wind direction was variable, shifting between 010 degrees and 070 degrees during the event.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions. This loss of control led directly to the ground loop and subsequent structural failures.