NTSB Factual Report

On May 20, 2001, at 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, single-engine tail-wheel equipped airplane, N77241, ground looped during landing on runway 17 at the Bourland Field Airport, near Fort Worth, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed Bourland Field approximately 1400.

The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that a "strong crosswind occurred from the right causing a venturi effect between two hangers adjacent to the runway." The pilot further reported that the "right wing lifted up, the airplane ground looped, and he could not correct for the ground loop."

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated the wind was from 220-240 degrees at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. During the second landing, the airplane was rolling on the centerline of the runway when a "sudden right crosswind gust from the hangar area on the west side [of the runway] lifted the right wing into a ground loop." The left wing contacted the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the west edge of the runway.

The FAA inspector examined the airplane and found that the firewall and left wing sustained substantial damage. The left main landing gear was collapsed.

The wind at Fort Worth Meacham Airport (approximately 32 nautical miles northeast of the accident site) was reported from 200 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind.