Piper PA-22-150 N3267Z accident near Hillsboro, Oregon

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain direction control during the landing roll with a left crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane was fast and subsequently began to deviate to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder, aileron, and brakes; however, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground during the ground loop, which resulted in substantial damage.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 31L, and the wind was from 250° at 6 knots, gusting to 14 knots. Given the crosswind conditions at the time, the pilot likely did not maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA169 for the full record.