Event GAA18CA517

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right side caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered to the right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot added that he is a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot added that he was a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations." 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

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
• — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot