Event GAA17CA201

Factual narrative

The pilot of the airplane reported that had recently completed flight training from the manufacturer. The accident flight was conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) as was the first approach. During his first approach, the pilot reported that his airspeed was too fast and he decided to go around. He canceled the IFR flight plan and squawked 1200 and remained in the traffic pattern. During his second approach, his airspeed was again too fast, but he attempted to land. The airplane bounced three times and during the ascent of the third bounce, the pilot added full power and attempted to go around. The airplane veered left and he attempted to counter the veer with full right rudder application. However, the airplane exited the runway to left and touched down hard. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid across the safety area before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the airplane reported that he had recently completed flight training from the manufacturer. The accident flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR). During the first approach to land, the pilot reported that the airspeed was too fast and that he decided to go around. He canceled the IFR flight plan, squawked 1200, and remained in the traffic pattern. During his second approach, the airspeed was again too fast, but he attempted to land. The airplane bounced three times, and during the ascent of the third bounce, the pilot added full power and attempted to go around. The airplane veered left, and he attempted to counter the veer with full right rudder application. However, the airplane touched down hard and exited the runway to left. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane slid across the safety area before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. 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-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
• 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