NTSB Factual Report

The 3,042-hour private lost control of the tail-wheel equipped airplane while landing on Runway 17 with a prevailing crosswind. The pilot reported that he attempted to regain control and applied the brakes and full right rudder; however, he was not able to keep the vintage airplane on the 150-foot wide runway. The airplane ground looped and exited the runway. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing contacted the ground. The airplane came to rest upright in the grass and both occupants were able to exit the airplane normally. On the NTSB Form 6120 completed by the pilot, he recommended that to prevent further accidents, the right rudder and right brake should be applied sooner to prevent the airplane from ground looping. The winds at the time of the mishap were variable at 5 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions while landing. A contributing factor was the crosswind.