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GAA18CA555

2018-09-09 · Williams, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CN12

Current FAA registration · N152GH

Make / Model
AVIPRO AIRCRAFT LTD BEARHAWK
Year of manufacture
2012 · 6 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 (260 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20120622
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0D23B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll in the grass to the left of an asphalt runway with light wind conditions, the airplane veered left. He attempted to recover, but his flight control input was ineffective. The airplane ground looped to the left, the right landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. 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 the landing roll in the grass left of an asphalt runway with light wind conditions, the airplane veered left. He attempted to recover, but his flight control input was ineffective. The airplane ground looped to the left, the right landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right 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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA555.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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