GAA18CA564

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane bounced and drifted to the left during the three-point landing. He applied right rudder to correct the left drift, and aft pressure on the yoke to keep the tailwheel on the ground. However, the left wing lifted, and the landing gear was sideloaded, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The METAR for the airport reported that the wind about the time of the accident was from 300° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane bounced and drifted left during the three-point landing. He applied right rudder to correct the left drift and aft pressure on the yoke to keep the tailwheel on the ground. However, the left wing lifted, and the right main landing gear was sideloaded and then collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 300° at 7 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 34. 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-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C