Cessna 150L N5460Q accident near Montrose, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a gusting quartering headwind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the third stop-and-go landing, the airplane touched down and veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder; however, the pilot encountered an unexpected wind gust, and the airplane weather vaned to the right. The airplane ground looped to the right, partially collapsing the left main landing gear, and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 17 with wind from 200° at 12 knots and gusting to 21 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA416 for the full record.