What happened
The pilot provided a written account of the incident, describing the events that occurred during the final phase of flight. As the aircraft was completing its landing rollout, a sudden gust of wind developed. This unexpected change in wind conditions caused the pilot to lose directional control of the aircraft.
Despite making the appropriate corrective actions to regain stability, the aircraft had reached the end of the available landing surface. Consequently, the plane ground looped to the left. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, winds were blowing from 250 degrees at speeds of 15 to 20 knots, with gusting conditions present.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the loss of directional control during the landing rollout. Contributing to this loss was a gust of wind that occurred as the aircraft was finishing its landing phase. The pilot's inability to maintain straight-line tracking despite proper corrections indicates the severity of the wind shear or gust encountered at that critical moment.
Safety message
Pilots should remain vigilant for sudden changes in wind conditions, particularly during the landing rollout when directional control is most vulnerable. Adequate runway length and crosswind components must be carefully assessed before attempting a landing in gusty weather to ensure sufficient space for corrective maneuvers.