GAA18CA522

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during touchdown, the tailwheel equipped airplane bounced and veered right. He overcorrected with left rudder and the airplane veered left, so he applied right rudder, but the airplane continued left. He then applied full power to go around, but the airplane departed the runway, struck a perimeter fence, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. 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 five minutes after the accident, the wind was 170º at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 17. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1, as requested. The pilot reported that, during touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced and veered right. He overcorrected with left rudder, and the airplane veered left, so he applied right rudder, but the airplane continued left. He then applied full power to go around, but the airplane departed the runway, struck a perimeter fence, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C