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September 30, 1999 · Piper PA-18-150 · N3799Z

Telluride, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Telluride, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N3799Z
Operator
Blake C Freeland
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA172

Prior to takeoff from Montrose, Colorado, the pilot called Telluride airport, located 33.3 nm to the south, and asked an airport employee what the weather conditions were. He was advised the wind was calm. Prior to landing at Telluride, he listened to the airport's ASOS, and again the wind was calm. He then confirmed that with the airport's windsock. Touchdown and initial rollout on runway 09 were normal; however, after the aircraft's tail was lowered onto the runway, the airplane encountered a tailwind gust and ground looped. When the pilot exited the aircraft, he noted that the winds were out of the west. There is no recorded weather reporting facility at Telluride airport. The closest weather facility is located at Montrose. At 1053, the winds were reported from 290 degrees at 6 knots. According to the FAA's Airport/Facility Directory, all landings at Telluride should be performed on runway 09 to avoid populated areas.

NTSB Probable Cause

An encounter with a sudden tailwind gust windshift during landing roll, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 1999, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N3799Z, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing roll at Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The aircraft departed Montrose Regional Airport, Montrose, Colorado, at 1100. According to the pilot, prior to takeoff from Montrose, he called Telluride airport and asked an airport employee what the weather conditions were. He was told that the wind was calm. Prior to entering the traffic pattern for landing at Telluride, he listened to the airport's Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS), and again the wind was reported as calm. He then confirmed that with the airport's windsock. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airport/Facility Directory (Southwest U.S.) states that all takeoffs at Telluride are recommended to be conducted on runway 27, and all landings should be performed on runway 09 to avoid populated areas. The pilot stated that touchdown and initial rollout on runway 09 were "normal." However, after the tail was lowered onto the runway, the aircraft encountered a tailwind gust and ground looped. The airplane sustained damage to the right wing and right landing gear. When the pilot exited the aircraft, he noted that the winds were out of the west. There is no manual weather observation facility at Telluride airport. The closest weather facility is located at Montrose, located 33.3 nm to the north. At 1053, the winds at Montrose were reported from 290 degrees at 6 knots. The next weather record was at 1353, with winds variable at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MDT
Nearest AirportTelluride Regional (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length6870 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN3799Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBlake C Freeland
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data