Event GAA16CA422

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing flare she could not see forward beyond the engine cowl, and due to the side-by-side seat configuration of the airplane she lost sight of right side of runway. She recalled that the airplane touched down slightly left of the center line and continued to roll further left. She reported that she applied full right rudder and applied the brakes in order prevent a runway excursion to the left, but the airplane nosed over and partially exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing flare she could not see forward beyond the engine cowl, and due to the side-by-side seat configuration of the airplane she lost sight of right side of runway. She recalled that the airplane touched down slightly left of the center line and continued to roll further left. She reported that she applied full right rudder and applied the brakes in order prevent a runway excursion to the left, but the airplane nosed over and partially exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight 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-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Surface speed/braking-Incorrect use/operation - C