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GAA16CA250

2016-05-21 · Calhan, Colorado, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 5V4

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on a dirt airstrip, he encountered crosswind gusts during the landing flare. The pilot further reported that the flare was too high and during touchdown the airplane began to porpoise. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on a dirt airstrip, he encountered crosswind gusts during the landing flare. The pilot further reported that the flare was too high and during touchdown the airplane began to porpoise. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over.  The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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-Pitch control-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Ability to respond/compensate

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA250.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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