30 Aug 2009: CURTISS WRIGHT TRAVEL AIR — DANIELS AVIATION INC — San Diego, CA

No fatalitiesSan Diego, CA, United States

A Travel Air aircraft experienced a ground loop and landing gear failure during the landing roll at San Diego.

What happened

On August 30, 2009, a Curtiss Wright Travel Air, registration N4418, was performing a landing on runway 28 in San Diego, CA. During the landing roll, the aircraft swerved to the left and entered a ground loop. This maneuver resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear. At the time of the accident, the weather was characterized by Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 180 degrees at 9 knots.

There were no injuries resulting from this event.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll while operating in crosswind conditions.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedCapability exceededPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation