Event GAA19CA116

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while on short final for a precautionary landing to an alternate airport covered with snow, with "extra speed" and about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane suddenly descended, landed hard, and bounced. The right main landing gear tire touched down again, caught the snow, and the airplane veered left. He then initiated a go-around, but the airplane struck a fence and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 an airport about 22 nm away, reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was 300° at 6 knots. The pilot reported the wind was blowing hard from 270°. The airplane landed on runway 27. The pilot reported that, while on short final for a precautionary landing to an alternate airport, with "extra speed" and about 10 ft above ground level, the airplane suddenly descended, landed hard, and bounced. The right main landing gear touched down again and struck snow, and the airplane veered left off the runway. He then initiated a go-around, but the airplane impacted a fence and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left 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

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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Fence/fence post-Effect on operation - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on equipment