GAA16CA023

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed with a 5 to 8 knot tailwind and landed hard. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and side loaded the landing gear which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed with a 5 to 8 knot tailwind and landed hard. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and side loaded the landing gear which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent rate-Not attained/maintained - C
• 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-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation