No fatalities

Tailwheel Airplane Ground Loop During Rollout

Palatka, FL, United States

On June 18, 2017, a PIPER PA 16 NO SERIES was involved in an aviation accident near Palatka, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane ground looped to the right during rollout after a stable approach, causing substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. No preaccident mechanical failures were reported.

Incident Overview and Damage Assessment A pilot operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the aircraft experienced a ground loop to the right during the rollout phase following a stable approach. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage of the aircraft. ## Mechanical Condition and Operational Factors According to the pilot's report, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The source does not provide additional details regarding the specific aircraft type, registration, date, operator, location, or the definitive cause of the ground loop.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jun 2017 PIPER PA 16 NO SERIES accident near Palatka, FL?

A tailwheel-equipped airplane ground looped to the right during rollout after a stable approach, causing substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. No preaccident mechanical failures were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Jun 2017 PIPER PA 16 NO SERIES accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jun 2017 involved a PIPER PA 16 NO SERIES, at Palatka, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing.