On September 3, 2006, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N82236) was involved in an aviation accident near Riverton, WY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: pilot error. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that after a normal touchdown, the airplane began turning left. Corrective rudder input led to a right ground loop, during which the left wing contacted the ground, damaging the spar.
Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the landing approach and touchdown were normal. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane began to turn to the left. The pilot corrected the turn by applying right rudder. The airplane then corrected to the right; however, the pilot stated he "must have held right rudder too long resulting in the aircraft ground looping to the right."
Damage and Cause
During the ground loop, the left wing contacted the ground, damaging the spar. The pilot attributed the cause solely to pilot error, stating, "The only cause [pilot] can attribute to the ground loop was pilot error."