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GAA18CA338

2018-06-12 · Phoenix, Arizona, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport DVT

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane ballooned, he added power, and "lost control on the second touchdown". The airplane landed, exited the runway to the left, and came to rest inverted. 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 automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 3 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25R. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane ballooned, He then added power and "lost control on the second touchdown." The airplane landed, exited the runway to the left, and came to rest inverted. 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 automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 3 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25R. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA338.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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