On October 13, 2006, a Finney Thorp T-18 (registration N467JF) was involved in an aviation accident near San Diego, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout due to crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost directional control during the landing rollout due to crosswind conditions, causing the aircraft to ground loop and bend the right wing.
What happened
The aircraft experienced a loss of directional control while rolling out on the runway after touchdown. The pilot reported that the approach and initial touchdown were executed normally. However, as the airplane decelerated, crosswind conditions caused the aircraft to ground loop. This maneuver resulted in physical damage to the airframe, specifically bending the right wing.
The investigation
Post-acc examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane systems prior to the incident. The pilot confirmed that the flight controls and engine performance were operating within normal parameters before the loss of control occurred during the landing phase.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout due to crosswind conditions.
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