PZL-104 WILGA 80 N4346M accident near Linton, North Dakota

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing with a 90-degree crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he needed to make an en route fuel stop due to low fuel. The airport that was available had only one runway which necessitated making a 90-degree crosswind landing. He reported that the winds were 180 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 18 knots. The pilot flew a stabilized approach utilizing good crosswind control. He reported that at touchdown, a wind gust overcame the available rudder authority, and the airplane ground looped. The right wing and elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that “better preflight planning could have identified alternate fuel stops at airports with multiple runways, and avoided the need to land in excessive crosswinds due to low fuel.”

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA333 for the full record.