GAA18CA285

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll of a touch-and-go landing, he reconfigured the flaps for takeoff. He added that the airplane veered sharply to the right and he attempted to recover with full left rudder and brake. The airplane ground looped to the right and exited the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was light and variable with no wind gusts. The airplane landed on runway 05. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll of a touch-and-go landing, he reconfigured the flaps for takeoff. He added that the airplane veered sharply to the right and that he attempted to recover with full left rudder and brake. The airplane ground looped to the right and exited the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was light and variable with no wind gusts. The airplane landed on runway 05. 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