GAA16CA438

Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll with a crosswind the airplane drifted to the left. He further reported that he "applied some right rudder," but the airplane weathervaned into the wind and departed the runway to the right. During the runway excursion, the airplane ground looped and the left wing and elevator were substantially damaged after an impact with terrain. An automated weather observing system near the time of the accident 12 nautical miles south of the airport recorded the wind at 250 degrees true at 7 knots. The pilot reported he landed on runway 20. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll with a crosswind the airplane drifted to the left. He further reported that he "applied some right rudder," but the airplane weathervaned into the wind and departed the runway to the right. During the runway excursion, the airplane ground looped and the left wing and elevator were substantially damaged after an impact with terrain. An automated weather observing system near the time of the accident 12 nautical miles south of the airport recorded the wind at 250 degrees true at 7 knots. The pilot reported he landed on runway 20. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction or failure 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-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - 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-Physical environment-Terrain-(general)-Contributed to outcome