Event GAA19CA059

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the approach, there was "heavy traffic" behind, and a crosswind from the right. During a wheel landing, he tried to "maintain speed" to clear the runway, but the airplane began to "fishtail". He added power to regain control, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a "lava field". The pilot further reported the accident was pilot error due to lack of experience in the airplane. He added that he did not have a tailwheel endorsement, and had a total of 3 flight hours in tailwheel airplanes with a certified flight instructor. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 9 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 17. After multiple attempts, the pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board form 6120.1. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the approach, there was "heavy traffic" behind his airplane and a right crosswind. He added that, during a wheel landing, he tried to "maintain speed" to clear the runway, but the airplane began to "fishtail." He added power to regain control, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a "lava field." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that the accident was due to pilot error because of his lack of experience in the airplane. He added that he did not have a tailwheel endorsement and had a total of only 3 flight hours experience in tailwheel airplanes with a flight instructor. The airport’s automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 17. 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
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
• F Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot - F