LAX05CA145

The airplane ground looped off the runway during landing and collided with a VASI light fixture. During landing rollout on runway 25, the pilot encountered a 16- to 20-knot wind gust from 240 degrees, and he lost directional control of his airplane. The airplane veered off the runway, and it impacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights. The pilot's approach, touchdown, and the initial portion of the rollout had been normal. A wind gust was encountered during the latter portion of the rollout. A witness, who was standing on the tarmac, reported that the wind was gusting to 20 knots about the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction or failure with his airplane.

On April 23, 2005, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N270KC, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped during landing on runway 25 at the Corona Municipal Airport, California. During rollout the pilot encountered a wind gust, and he lost directional control of his airplane. It veered off the runway and impacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Perris Valley, California, about 1445.

The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that his approach, touchdown, and the initial portion of the rollout was normal in all respects. However, during the latter portion of the rollout a gust of wind was encountered, which raised the right wing of the airplane. Immediately thereafter, he lost control of the airplane. The pilot also stated that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction or failure with his airplane. The pilot subsequently reported that during landing the wind was from 240 degrees at 14 knots, and he had experienced a 16- to 20-knot gust from the same direction.

A witness, who was standing on the tarmac, reported that the wind was gusting to 20 knots about the time of the accident. According to the National Weather Service, at 1453, the Chino Airport (about 6 miles northwest of Corona) reported its wind was from 260 degrees at 12 knots, with 19-knot gusts.