Accident Details
On August 3, 2017, at approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Beech D17S airplane, registration N44562, experienced a ground loop while landing at City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Flight Information
The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Gallup Municipal Airport (GUP) in Gallup, New Mexico, at about 0900.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that during landing, the right quartering tailwind was 10 to 13 mph. He performed a normal landing with considerable left rudder application to maintain directional control. After touchdown, with the tailwheel on the runway, the airplane began to drift to the right. He applied left brake, and the right landing gear collapsed. The airplane continued to the right edge of the runway, where it came to rest upright. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, adding, "it got away from me, I guess."
FAA Inspector Findings
The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the airplane landed on runway 35L and ground looped during the landing roll. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the lower right wing struck the ground. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the landing gear.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane, specifically the collapse of the right main landing gear and contact of the lower right wing with the runway surface.