Accident Overview
A tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a ground loop during landing on a hard surfaced runway. The pilot reported that as the airplane descended to about 6 inches above the runway, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. This caused the left main landing gear to contact the runway, and the airplane began to turn to the left. The pilot was unable to correct the turn using rudder input, and the airplane ground looped to the left, striking the right wing on the ground.
Damage and Mechanical Status
The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had a go-around decision been made at the initial recognition of the wind gust.