19990313014609A

(.19) On March 13, 1999, at 1315 hours pacific standard time, a Cessna 305A, N5188G, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped and impacted terrain during landing rollout at the uncontrolled Harris Ranch Airport, Coalinga, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from angwin, California, at 0930. The pilot reported that he had just purchased the conventional gear airplane, and he was familiar with its operation and flight characteristics. No mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the airplane during landing rollout on runway 14. Several airplanes had landed ahead of him without experiencing apparent difficulty. The surface wind was variable. Its speed increased from approximately 3 knots to 10 knots, while changing direction from 060 to 090 degrees. (.4) according to the pilot, he was familiar with the flight characteristics and operation of his conventional gear airplane. The pilot tried to perform a wheel landing on runway 32, but the airplane swerved. He then lost directional control and ground looped. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the flight. The local surface wind was from about 090 degrees, between 3 and 5 knots.