No fatalities

18 Nov 2008: PIPER PA-18-150 — Doss Aviation Inc. — Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs, CO, United States

On 18 Nov 2008, a PIPER PA-18-150 operated by Doss Aviation Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Colorado Springs, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control and his failure to compensate for wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were gusting winds with a wind shear warning in effect. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot completed a landing on runway 34L at AFF when the airplane weather vaned left, leading to an overcorrection and departure from the runway. The aircraft ground looped 180 degrees, sustaining wing and stabilizer damage.

Accident Details

According to the pilot, after completing the final towing flight for the day, he returned to AFF for landing. He was cleared to land on runway 34L and touched down "on the numbers and centerline with full flaps at 45 miles per hour (MPH)." The pilot reported that the airplane immediately weather vaned to the left and headed for the left runway edge. He applied corrective countermeasures but "over corrected," causing the airplane to depart the right side of the runway. The airplane came to rest on the soft shoulder after completing a 180-degree turn, resulting in a ground loop.

Damage and Post-Accident Status

During the ground loop maneuver, the airplane sustained a bent outer left wing and aileron, as well as a bent left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane prior to the accident and was able to taxi the plane to its hangar after recovery.

Wind Conditions

Wind conditions reported at the time of the accident were 290 degrees at 15 MPH gusting to 20 MPH, with a wind shear warning in effect.

Contributing factors

Causes

Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Response/compensation