GAA18CA423

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during landing, about 5 ft off of the ground, the left wing raised and the right wing impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane twisted to the right and landed sideways on the left main landing gear. The pilot further reported in a telephone conversation that, during the landing, the airplane got slow, there was a breeze from the left, and the airplane did not respond after he applied correction for the lateral control. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and the elevator. The pilot recommended that he should have had more speed or performed a go around. 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, during landing, about 5 ft off the ground, the left wing raised, and the right wing impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane twisted right and landed sideways on the left main landing gear. The pilot further reported in a telephone conversation that, during the landing, the airplane got slow, there was a breeze from the left, and the airplane did not respond after he applied correction for lateral control. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the elevator. The pilot recommended that he should have had more speed or performed a go-around. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Attain/maintain not possible - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C