Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 3500; Flight Crew Type 500
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors; Airport; Aircraft; Weather
My aircraft was operating from PSP on a passenger flight under FAR Part 91 [section] 147. A commercial multi engine certificate holder with a current class 2 medical was at the controls. At the beginning of the takeoff roll a gust of wind (strong) hit the aircraft from the right side and caused the left wingtip to hit the Runway (31R) at PSP. The ground loop damaged the left wing tip and aileron (lower wing). Winds were variable about 10 knots from the North West to North with gust higher. There were no injuries to occupants of the aircraft; there is no wind sock at the arrival end of Runway 31R which is located at Taxiway Bravo; thus as one begins the takeoff roll there is no immediate source of wind information visible to the pilot. Such a source of wind information would be helpful because at PSP the winds can vary considerable depending on one's location on the airport.
Small aircraft pilot reports a ground loop during an attempted takeoff; causing damage to the wing tip and aileron. Gusty crosswinds and no available wind sock were cited as contributing factors.