Piper PA-20 N1491A accident near Three Forks, Montana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional during the landing roll with a variable wind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind that lifted the left wing. While correcting, the airplane ground looped to the left and exited the left side of the runway. During the ground loop, the right wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, horizontal stabilizer and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident the airplane landed on runway 21 with a variable wind at 7 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA105 for the full record.