LAX07CA289

The pilot made a normal landing approach and touched down on the first 1/4 of the upsloping runway. He stated that he flared for landing and decided to allow the airplane to settle to the ground in a three point attitude. After touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the right. As he corrected back to the runway, the airplane began to oscillate and then ground looped. The pilot reported that if he had done a wheel landing and held the tail off the ground until the speed had dissipated, he would have had more time to recognize a potential ground loop situation and react accordingly. He further stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

According to the pilot, he made an approach to the airport, flew a normal landing pattern, and touched down in the first 1/4 of runway 27. The landing flare was "going very well," and he allowed the airplane to settle to the ground in a "three point attitude." As the airplane's airspeed decreased and it settled to the ground, it began to veer slightly to the right. During the correction back to the runway, the airplane ground looped in a counterclockwise direction. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

The pilot reported that runway 27 is an upslope runway, and the surface is a little uneven. He stated that he should have wheel landed the airplane and held the tail up until the speed had dissipated. The pilot stated that if he had kept the tail up, it would have given him time to recognize a potential ground loop situation, and react appropriately.

The accident occurred on August 31, 2007. On December 6, 2007, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office reported the accident to the National Transportation Safety Board.