NTSB Factual Report

On September 2, 2001, about 1215 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N4215Y, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a ground loop during landing on runway 13 (6,891 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at the Pierre Regional Airport, Pierre, South Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at 1115.

In his written statement, the pilot said that while performing a practice short field landing, a gust of wind, "...picked aircraft from runway - placing it about a 30 [degree] angle to [the] direction of travel - with addition of power and control inputs, I was not able to correct before returning to runway. Resultant ground loop damaged landing gear and wing...."

The weather reporting station located at the accident airport recorded the wind at 1153 as variable direction at 4 knots. No gusts were listed on the 1153 report.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining directional control of the airplane during landing.