GAA17CA153

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as the tail came down, a "sizable gust weathervaned" the airplane to the left. He added that, he "made aggressive inputs to correct the direction", but was unsuccessful. He further added that, once the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass, he could feel the mains begin to sink into the soft ground. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 16 minutes after the accident, the wind was 170° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as the tail came down, a "sizable gust weathervaned" the airplane to the left. He added that, he "made aggressive inputs to correct the direction" but was unsuccessful. He further added that, once the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass, he could feel the mains begin to sink into the soft ground. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 16 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18. 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-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on equipment