GAA17CA015

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the airplane touched down on the numbers of the runway with excess airspeed, bounced, and then veered off the runway. The airport director provided video surveillance of the landing. The video showed the airplane near the runway aiming point markings, about 1,000 feet from the runway threshold, veer to the left and impact a ditch between the runway and the parallel taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the airplane touched down on the numbers of the runway with excess airspeed, bounced, and then veered off the runway. The airport director provided video surveillance of the landing. The video showed the airplane near the runway aiming point markings, about 1,000 feet from the runway threshold, veer to the left and impact a ditch between the runway and the parallel taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident 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 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
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Contributed to outcome