Crash location | 43.991111°N, 70.947777°W |
Nearest city | Fryeburg, ME
44.052292°N, 70.936179°W 4.3 miles away |
Tail number | N52LK |
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Accident date | 20 Jul 2011 |
Aircraft type | Sky International, Inc. A-1C-180 |
Additional details: | None |
The pilot stated that he received a preflight weather briefing about 1.5 hours before departure, and the wind in the destination area was reported to be calm or from the south at 8 to 10 knots. He departed and proceeded to the destination airport, where he reported the windsock indicated a cross wind “…with variability.” He initiated an approach to runway 14 which seemed to have a tailwind component so he performed a go-around. He remained in the traffic pattern and initiated approach to runway 32. While on final approach he believed he had enough rudder but reported there must have been a gust. During landing the left wing raised and a ground loop began. The airplane veered to the right off the runway and came to rest upright. A surface weather observation taken at the accident airport approximately 54 minutes after the accident indicates the wind was variable from 190 to 250 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 16 knots.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty wind conditions.