Event GAA17CA125

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped biplane reported that she extended her downwind due to other aircraft in the traffic pattern, and that while on the extended final she put the biplane in a "slip". During the slip, she reported that the windsock was out of view. She further reported that during the landing flare she noticed her "ground-speed" was higher than normal, and that "about 800 ft." after touchdown, the biplane "violently swerved to the right". She attempted to recover with rudder inputs, however the biplane veered off the runway and came to rest inverted. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that she extended the downwind leg due to other aircraft in the traffic pattern and that, while on the extended final, she put the biplane in a "slip." During the slip, the windsock was out of view. She further reported that, during the landing flare, she noticed that the "ground-speed" was higher than normal and that "about 800 ft" after touchdown, the biplane "violently swerved to the right." She attempted to recover with rudder inputs; however, the biplane veered off the runway and came to rest inverted. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. 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

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
• F Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - F