Event GAA16CA053

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during an intentional landing on the grass parallel to an asphalt runway, he touched down fast and bounced "slightly." He then became distracted when another pilot reported over the radio that a coyote was crossing the runway. Subsequently, he "let the nose wheel down too early and too quickly." The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during an intentional landing on the grass parallel to an asphalt runway, he touched down fast and bounced "slightly." He then became distracted when another pilot reported over the radio that a coyote was crossing the runway. Subsequently, he "let the nose wheel down too early and too quickly." The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C