Accident Overview
The pilot of a tailwheel airplane reported initiating a takeoff roll in the presence of a left quartering headwind. During the takeoff roll, a wind gust caused the airplane to swerve. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff, and the airplane subsequently ground looped.
Damage Description
As a result of the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the wingtip struck the runway surface. The impact damaged the wing structure.
Weather Conditions
A weather reporting station located 18 nautical miles south of the accident site provided wind data. Seven minutes before the reported accident time, the station recorded wind from 190 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. Fifty-three minutes after the accident time, the same station recorded wind from variable directions between 130 degrees and 200 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed a failure of the left steering spring chain link. It could not be determined whether the chain link failure occurred prior to or during the accident sequence.