Event GAA18CA315

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tail-wheeled equipped airplane reported that he lost directional control upon touchdown on runway 24. The airplane ground-looped to the left. The leading edge of the right wing dipped and contacted the runway. The airplane came to rest upright on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing rear spar and right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported 26 minutes after the accident that the wind was from 250° at 11 knots, gusting 17 knots. The pilot landed on runway 24. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he lost directional control upon touchdown on the runway. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the leading edge of the right wing dipped and contacted the runway. The airplane then came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing rear spar and right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the airport reported that, 26 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 250° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 24. 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
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation