Cessna 180 Skywagon
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 4000; Flight Crew Type 1200
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Weather
I was returning from a training flight practicing short field landings at a remote strip. The aircraft is a 1955 C-180.  At the time; the aircraft was very light. One pilot; minimal fuel; no cargo. 8.50 x 6.00 tires at 26 psi. On approach to Runway XXR; final wind reported as 10/350.  Earlier winds were reported 10-G15. This is my home base; and these wind conditions are not unusual.  As expected for early weather reports obtained in route. Due to the cross-wind; I landed with the upwind wing low. 30 degrees of flap.  I initially landed on the right main wheel; then let the left wheel settle as my speed decreased. I was firmly in a wheel landing with ailerons toward the crosswind. Estimated airspeed around 45mph. As I slowed further; I put the tail down too aggressively.  My intention was to pin the tail wheel to prevent weathervaning in the crosswind. Unfortunately; lowering the tail too rapidly induced a right turning tendency; this force coupled with increased lift due to the change in angle of attack and the crosswind; resulting in the right wing lifting. I had 30 degrees of flaps deployed. These combined forces began a ground loop.  As the left wing touched the ground; I applied full left brake momentarily; and the aircraft came back onto both wheels; and departed the runway into the grass on a course of approximately 360.  Left wing tip was damaged. No other part of the airplane was damaged. The airport was closed for 20 minutes while the airport authority checked the runway for debris.  None was found.  Aircraft was taxied to hangar. The failure was a combination of overconfidence; and failure maintain directional control when lowering the tail from a wheel landing. I had been told that with enough experience; every Cessna 180 pilot with eventually ground loop the aircraft. I must report that the old adage appears to be true.
Pilot reported ground loop occurred after landing in windy conditions; resulting in a runway excursion and damage to the aircraft.