Helio H-295-1200 Super Courier, N9185Z: Accident occurred July 10, 2016 in Grants Pass, Josephine County, Oregon

http://registry.faa.gov/N9185Z

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Portland FSDO-09 

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA366
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Grants Pass, OR
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/31/2016
Aircraft: HELIO H 295, registration: N9185Z
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, he encountered a crosswind gust from the right. Subsequently, the airplane swerved off the runway to the right and ground looped. During the ground loop, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage.

The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Accident/ Incident Report Form 6120.1, the wind direction was variable at 8 to 9 knots, with gusts at 2 to 5 knots. The destination airport was not equipped with an automated weather observation system.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a ground loop.