Piper PA-22-160 N8778D

Summary

On 21 July 2009 at about 02:30 local time, a Piper PA-22-160 registered N8778D was involved in an accident near Fort Collins, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2009 at 02:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Fort Collins-Loveland AIrport (FNL)

Coordinates

40.4511, -105.0067

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-160

Registration

N8778D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Erie → Fort Collins

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09CA464

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty, crosswind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.