NTSB Factual Report

On August 25, 2001, at 1028 hours Pacific daylight time, a Champion 7FC, N9857B, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop at the Reno/Stead airport, Reno, Nevada. The commercial certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The local area personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed at 0930. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot told the Safety Board investigator that the aircraft had been converted from a tricycle landing gear configuration to a (7EC) tail wheel configuration. The accident occurred as he performed a wheel landing on runway 26 and, although the wind was reported calm, he thought there was a gust because the aircraft veered to the left, then reversed to the right, and ground looped. The main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the runway. The pilot reported that on the previous landing the wind sock was "dead calm"; however, during the accident landing the wind sock showed a left crosswind.

At Reno International Airport, 11 miles southeast, the surface wind was reported to have been from 250 degrees at 3 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll.