No fatalities

Tailwheel Airplane Ground Loops on Landing

Palm Springs, CA, United States

On October 12, 2010, a BOEING A75N1(PT17) operated by Kent Thomas was involved in an aviation accident near Palm Springs, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane ground looped during landing on runway 31R, with the left wingtip contacting the runway. Post-accident examination revealed damage to the left aileron and a wing rib.

Accident Details

A pilot landing a tail wheel-equipped airplane on runway 31R reported encountering a crosswind during the landing. The left wingtip touched the runway, and the airplane subsequently ground looped. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to or during the accident.

Damage Assessment

A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left aileron and a wing rib. No other damage was specified.

Meteorological Information

Approximately 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was reported from 130 degrees at 4 knots. No further weather details were provided.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Oct 2010 BOEING A75N1(PT17) accident near Palm Springs, CA?

A tailwheel-equipped airplane ground looped during landing on runway 31R, with the left wingtip contacting the runway. Post-accident examination revealed damage to the left aileron and a wing rib.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Oct 2010 BOEING A75N1(PT17) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Oct 2010 involved a BOEING A75N1(PT17), operated by Kent Thomas, at Palm Springs, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop.