On October 4, 2003, a Cessna 180K (registration N77NP) operated by Nolan D. Palmer was involved in an aviation accident near Starkville, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind condition that resulted in the loss of directional control during a landing. A factor was the crosswind condition. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported his Cessna 180K ground looped during landing on runway 18 with winds from 260 degrees at 4 knots. The left wing and stabilizer struck the ground, sustaining damage.
Incident Details
Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot of a Cessna 180K established a visual approach to land on runway 18. The reported prevailing winds were 260 degrees at 4 knots. According to the pilot, during the landing on runway 18, the right wing came up and the airplane subsequently ground looped.
Pilot Report
The pilot recalled that as the airplane gyrated during the ground loop, the left wing and left stabilizer struck the ground. The pilot did not report any mechanical issues with the airplane during the attempted landing. He stated that he had accumulated approximately 250 flight hours in the Cessna 180K airplane.
Aircraft Damage
A visual examination of the airplane revealed damage to both the left wing and left stabilizer components. According to the Cessna 180K Pilot Operating Handbook, the demonstrated crosswind component for the aircraft is 12 knots.