No fatalities

2 Aug 2017: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402 B — USDA/ARS — San Angelo, TX

San Angelo, TX, United States

On 2 Aug 2017, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402 B operated by USDA/ARS was involved in an aviation accident near San Angelo, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a crosswind landing, a tailwheel airplane experienced an uncommanded right turn, ground looped, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot applied left brake and rudder but the turn continued.

Accident Details

A tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage during a landing roll in crosswind conditions. The aircraft veered to the right in an uncommanded slow turn, eventually ground looping. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The left wing suffered substantial damage.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that the airplane began an un-commanded slow turn to the right during the landing roll. He applied left brake and left rudder inputs, but the airplane continued turning right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, causing the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing to impact the ground. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Information

The automated weather observation system at the airport reported, approximately 10 minutes after the accident, that the wind was from 90 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot had landed on runway 36.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation