GAA16CA063

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that during touchdown, near the approach end of the runway, the airplane bounced and floated. When the airplane came back down onto the airstrip, the pilot said he applied the brakes and the airplane pulled hard to the right. The airplane departed the airstrip to the right, crossed a ditch, the nose wheel separated, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the right wing lift strut, and the empennage. The student pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The solo student pilot reported that during touchdown, near the approach end of the runway, the airplane bounced and floated. When the airplane came back down onto the airstrip, the pilot said he applied the brakes and the airplane pulled hard to the right. The airplane departed the airstrip to the right, crossed a ditch, the nose wheel separated, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the right wing lift strut, and the empennage. The student pilot reported there were no pre-impact 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Braking capability-Incorrect use/operation - C