RV-6
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 28; Flight Crew Total 9854; Flight Crew Type 34
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
While approaching for landing I monitored the AWOS frequency for airport conditions. AWOS was reporting wind conditions as calm. Switching to CTAF; I heard an aircraft announce that he was taking off on runway 3. Since I was approaching from the west I chose to execute a landing on runway 3; in the calm wind situation. After touching down and slowing I experienced increasing loss of lateral control; culminating in a ground loop to the left with damage to the right landing strut. Upon exiting the aircraft quite close to the windsock; I noted that the wind was a direct tailwind of 5-7 knots (as judged by the sock position) with gusts.All indications were that a landing on runway 3 was appropriate; but a query to CTAF prior to the landing attempt for confirmation of the no wind report would have altered my choice of runway. Additionally; I should have attempted to locate and read the windsock for wind condition.
RV6 pilot reported a ground loop during landing with winds reported as calm. Once stopped near the windsock a direct tailwind of 5-7 knots was noted.