GAA19CA156

Factual narrative

The student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while practicing takeoff and landings, landed hard with "a big bounce" and the right wing came up. He attempted to correct by adding power and initiating a go-around. Subsequently the airplane then ground looped, exited the runway and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 300° at 2 knots and visibility was 10 statute miles. The airplane was landing runway 26. The student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while practicing takeoff and landings, the airplane landed hard with "a big bounce," and the right wing came up. He attempted to correct by adding power and initiating a go-around. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped, exited the runway, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather reporting station reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 300° at 5 knots and that visibility was 10 statute miles. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 26. 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Student/instructed pilot - C