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GAA16CA354

2016-06-30 · Saratoga, Wyoming, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SAA

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in substantial damage.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed on an asphalt runway after completing an aerial application flight. He reported that during the landing roll, he ground looped the airplane to the right, the airplane exited the runway to the right, and the left wing struck the taxiway indicator sign. The left aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed on an asphalt runway after completing an aerial application flight. He reported that during the landing roll, he ground looped the airplane to the right, the airplane exited the runway to the right, and the left wing struck the taxiway indicator sign. The left aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight 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-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA354.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.