GAA19CA120

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel equipped airplane began to ground loop left. He corrected with opposite rudder and aileron and regained control of the airplane, but the airplane started to veer right. The pilot added that while the airplane was veering right towards the edge of the runway, he assumed the snow on the adjacent field was compacted and would efficiently slow the airplane so he let the airplane exit the runway to the right but the snow was "softer than [he] anticipated" and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. 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 system located on the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind was from 020º at 3 knots. The airplane landed on runway 20. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to ground loop to the left. He corrected with opposite rudder and aileron and regained control of the airplane, but the airplane started to veer right. The pilot added that, while the airplane was veering right toward the edge of the runway, he assumed the snow on the adjacent field was compacted and would efficiently slow the airplane, so he let the airplane exit the runway to the right; however, the snow was "softer than [he] anticipated," and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 020º at 3 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 20. 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
• F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - F
• F Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Snowy/icy terrain-Decision related to condition - F