Event GAA19CA150

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that his intent was to accomplish a three-point landing. During the landing flare, the airspeed decreased, and just prior to touch down, he applied aft yoke pressure to pin the tailwheel on the runway. As the main landing gear touched down, the airplane veered left, exited the left side of the runway and collided with taxiway signage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment points. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The solo student pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he intended to accomplish a three-point landing. During the landing flare, the airspeed decreased, and just before touchdown, he applied aft yoke pressure to pin the tailwheel on the runway. As the main landing gear touched down, the airplane veered left, and it then exited the left side of the runway and collided with taxiway signage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment points. The student reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Effect on equipment - C