Event GAA17CA050

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in cross wind conditions, he was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron and right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot landed runway 17, and reported the wind as 110 degrees true, 10 nautical miles per hour (knots), with gusts 15-20 knots. A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located on the airfield, showed that at the time of the accident the wind was reported as 080 degrees true at 6 knots. The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in cross wind conditions, he was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron and right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot landed runway 17, and reported the wind as 110 degrees true, 10 nautical miles per hour (knots), with gusts 15-20 knots. A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located on the airfield, showed that at the time of the accident the wind was reported as 080 degrees true at 6 knots. 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 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-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate