Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land with a gusting tailwind and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, "about half way through the [landing] rollout I lost control of the aircraft and ground looped to the right." During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the runway.
The left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report after multiple requests.
An automated weather observation station, 5 nautical miles from the accident airport, recorded that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 120° at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA269 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 7, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Spanish Fork, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Spanish Fork-Springville-Woodh (U77)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SUPER CUB SPORT
- N-number
- N47KJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2014
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.