Apex, NV, USA
N465C
Aviat A-1B
The pilot landed his airplane on a dry lake bed. During rollout a wind gust and crosswind was encountered, he lost directional control, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot estimated that the wind was between 12 and 20 knots.
On May 11, 2001, about 1625 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat A-1B, N465C, ground looped during landing on the Apex dry lake bed, about 22 miles northeast of North Las Vegas, Nevada. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, and it was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from North Las Vegas about 1430. The pilot initially reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that during landing he encountered a 12- to 15-knot wind gust. In his subsequent written statement he reported that the wind was 15 to 20 knots. The pilot also reported that during the landing roll, a wind gust and right crosswind was encountered, which resulted in his losing control of the airplane. The pilot stated that his airplane "got away from me." No mechanical malfunctions were reported.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in a gusty and crosswind condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
