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GAA18CA181

2018-03-10 · Hillsboro, Oregon, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport HIO

N50KF has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44, built 2009), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind conditions.

Factual narrative

The student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane ground looped, and the right main landing gear collapsed. He added that he believes he became complacent during the flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student 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 reported that, about 27 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 070° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 31L. The student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane ground looped, and the right main landing gear collapsed. He added that he believes he became complacent during the flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student 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 reported that, about 27 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 070° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 31L. 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-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • — Personnel issues-Psychological-Personality/attitude-Complacency-Student/instructed pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA181.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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