FTW95LA269

The pilot lost control of the tailwheel equipped airplane while attempting to land on runway 18 with a crosswind from 290 at 19 knots, gusting to 37. The airplane ground looped and the left wing spar was damaged when the wing impacted the ground. The pilot had departed the airport with four parachutist for a local parachute jumping flight. The pilot was forced to abort the jump mission and return to the airport due to the prevailing high winds in the area. The pilot's weather evaluation prior to the flight was based on local reports and forecasts received by television, which indicated that a 'storm' was approaching.

On July 4, 1995, at 1945 central daylight time, a Cessna 180E, N8676X, sustained substantial damage while landing near Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the parachute jumping flight.

In the enclosed narrative history of the flight, the pilot stated that "the wind abruptly changed from approximately 220 to 270 degrees creating a strong crosswind causing the airplane to ground loop." Winds at Fayetteville, 11 miles south, were from 290 degrees at 19, gusting to 37 knots. Runway 18 was in use at the time of the accident. The pilot reported wind was from 270 degrees "creating a strong crosswind." In his enclosed report, he stated that he received his weather information from television and that a "storm was moving in."

According to the operator, the flight returned to the initial point of departure after aborting a parachute jumping exercise due to high winds in the area. The left wing spar was damaged and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position.