Cessna 170B N2480D accident near Gainesville, Georgia

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane while landing in gusty crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was landing with a 5 to 6 knot crosswind. During the landing rollout, the airplane began to drift to the right and when the heading deviation reached about 10°, the pilot elected to abort the landing. The windsock subsequently indicated a “more favorable headwind” and the pilot attempted a second landing; however, the airplane again drifted to the right during the landing rollout. The pilot’s remedial actions were unsuccessful. The airplane “ground looped” and sustained substantial damage to both wings. A 30° right crosswind with gusts up to 16 knots was reported at the airport about 30 minutes before the accident, and a 10° left crosswind with gusts up to 14 knots was reported about 30 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA139 for the full record.