Accident Details
On July 5, 2010, at approximately 1300 Mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, registration N6110A, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing at Dillon Airport, Dillon, Montana. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the State of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as a public use flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and it is unknown if a flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
According to a written statement from the pilot, he entered a normal traffic pattern for runway 22 and observed the winds to be a right quartering headwind. After a normal approach, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear. As the tail wheel was about to touch down, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder and brake to counteract the turn, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Continuing with left rudder and brake, the pilot was able to stop the right turn; however, the airplane then turned to the left and ground looped.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and right elevator.