Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was taking off on runway 33. As the tail started coming off the ground, the plane veered off to the left and "accelerated into a typical ground loop." After the accident, four witnesses approached the pilot and told him that right after he added power, the wind sock swung around into a 90-degree crosswind and that a strong gust moved across the field. The pilot said that age was slowly "having its effect," and was slowing his reaction time.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA472 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 11, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Aspen, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Fld (ASE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18
- N-number
- N350CC
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.