Event GAA17CA117

Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted to transition a mountain ridge after he had completed an aerial application. He added that he began to climb to a safe altitude in rising terrain, but realized that it was going to be "close to clear" the mountain top. He attempted to turn to the left, but noted that the terrain would not allow him to do so. He continued straight and impacted the mountain top about ten feet from the crest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. 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 he attempted to transition a mountain ridge after he had completed an aerial application. He added that he began to climb to a safe altitude in rising terrain but realized that it was going to be "close to clear" the mountain top. He attempted to turn to the left but noted that the terrain would not allow him to do so. He continued straight ahead and impacted the mountain top about 10 ft from the crest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were 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

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-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Effect on operation