Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On January 25, 2003, at 1145 mountain standard time, a Stinson 108-2, N9335K, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing at the Kelly Airpark, Elbert, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at 1115.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that he had been flying in the traffic pattern practicing touch and go landings. He was performing a full stop landing on runway 35 when he caught a gust of wind which raised the right wing approximately 20 to 30 degrees. The pilot attempted to level the wings but could not. The airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground.

An examination of the airplane showed the outboard six ribs of the left wing and wing tip were bent aft and upward. The wing skin in this area was wrinkled. The left main landing gear was bent aft. The fuselage skin at the landing gear leg root was wrinkled. The left main landing gear wheel cover and fairing were bent aft. The bottom cowling was bent to the right. One of the propeller blades was bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

At 1149, the wind conditions reported at the Elbert Mountain, Colorado, Automated Weather Observation System, located on the airfield, were 040 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 17 knots.

At the time of the accident, the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, Airfield, 250 degrees from the accident site at 7 nautical miles, reported a peak gust of 27 knots. the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control resulting in the ground loop. Factors relating to the accident were the crosswinds and the wind gusts.