Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents
Learn from Colorado's accident history to fly safer in the Rockies
2310 Total Accidents
425 Fatal
816 Fatalities
1982-2026
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Minor/None
Fort Collins, Colorado
NTSB Narrative
The private pilot ground looped his tailwheel-equipped airplane while attempting to land in gusty, crosswind conditions. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the longerons. The right main landing gear and right wingtip were also damaged. The pilot reported there were no pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies and that the accident could have been prevented if he had paid closer attention to the reported winds and landed on a more suitable runway. The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty, crosswind conditions.
Case Study & Lessons Learned
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NTSB Findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate
Details
| NTSB Report | CEN09CA464 |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA-22-160 |
| Registration | N8778D |
| Damage | SUBS |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Location | 40.4511, -105.0067 |
