GAA17CA091

Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the airplane veered left of center line, he attempted to correct with right brake input, but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer off the runway to the left, ground looped, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 10 minutes before the accident the wind was 120° at 4 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered left of centerline and that he attempted to correct with right brake input but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer off the runway to the left, ground looped, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 120° at 4 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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-Tailwind-Effect on equipment