GAA18CA584

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing, the left wing "raised up abruptly" so he corrected with left aileron, but the airplane veered left. He then corrected with right pedal, but the airplane continued left, exited the runway and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and tailcone. 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 light and variable. The automated weather observation station located on the airport about 15 NM away, reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 27. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing, the left wing "raised up abruptly," so he corrected with left aileron, but the airplane veered left. He then corrected with right pedal, but the airplane continued left, exited the runway, and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and tail cone. 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 light and variable. An automated weather observation station located about 15 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 27. 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
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation