Overview
On May 31, 2009, about 0715 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C, registration N9955J, ground looped during takeoff near Rock Springs, Montana. The pilot was operating under 14 CFR Part 137 for an aerial application flight. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and aft fuselage structure. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Accident Details
The local aerial application flight was departing from a private airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the airplane departed the runway, spun around, and came to rest facing opposite the direction of travel. The pilot reported that at the time of takeoff, direct crosswind conditions existed, gusting between 15 and 25 knots.
Aircraft Damage
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the scene. The outer section of the right main landing gear leg and wheel were found 20 feet behind the airplane. The leg had separated into two pieces, 6 inches above the wheel axle. The fracture surfaces were granular in appearance with 45-degree shear lips at their edges. The tailwheel spring was attached to the airplane’s bulkhead but had failed at the attach point. The tailwheel assembly had rotated 90 degrees around the airplane’s longitudinal axis.
Pilot Report
In a written statement to the Safety Board, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for the wind conditions to subside.
Wind Conditions
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook applicable to the accident airplane, the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for takeoff and landing is 16 mph (14 knots). The airplane was sold by the owner before the NTSB investigator-in-charge could inspect the tailwheel assembly in more detail.