GAA18CA510

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a grass strip, the airplane bounced and he performed a successful but "scary" go-around. On the second landing attempt, shortly after touchdown, the airplane bounced again and instead of going around, he "decided to try to save the landing." Shortly after the airplane stopped bouncing, the airplane veered left, exited the runway to the left, and impacted trees. 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 wind was 270° at 7 knots. An automated weather observation station located on the airport about 16 NM away, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 22. The pilot of the tailwheel-quipped airplane reported that, during landing on a grass strip, the airplane bounced, and he subsequently performed a successful go-around. On the second landing attempt, shortly after touchdown, the airplane bounced again and instead of going around, he "decided to try to save the landing." Shortly after the airplane stopped bouncing, the airplane veered left, exited the runway to the left, and impacted trees. 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. 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
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C