GAA15CA007

Factual narrative

The pilot was flying a cross-country flight under visual flight rules in a tailwheel equipped airplane. During the final approach to a full stop landing, the pilot reported that he flared too high and as a result the airplane bounced and veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder but was unable to stop the airplane from departing the runway to the right. During the runway excursion the airplane impacted a snow pile adjacent to the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that he typically lands on soft runway surfaces less than 2,000 ft. in length and suspected that his perception during the flare may have been impacted while landing on this 7,025 ft. runway. The pilot did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the winds were reporting calm during the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot was flying a cross-country flight under visual flight rules in a tailwheel equipped airplane. During the final approach to a full stop landing, the pilot reported that he flared too high and as a result the airplane bounced and veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder but was unable to stop the airplane from departing the runway to the right. During the runway excursion the airplane impacted a snow pile adjacent to the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that he typically lands on soft runway surfaces less than 2,000 ft. in length and suspected that his perception during the flare may have been impacted while landing on this 7,025 ft. runway. The pilot did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the winds were reporting calm during the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Snow/ice-Contributed to outcome
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Perception-Pilot