Event GAA19CA170

Factual narrative

The pilot of a of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the right wing "lifted abruptly and rapidly." He attempted to correct with right aileron, but the airplane continued to the left and then began to yaw left. The pilot added right rudder and power to correct to no avail. Subsequently, he reduced power, the airplane exited the runway, impacted a ditch and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the right wing and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot estimated that the wind was from 300 degrees at 24 knots with gusts to 28 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 15 knots, gusting 21 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 31. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the right wing "lifted abruptly and rapidly." He attempted to correct with right aileron, but the airplane veered left and then began to yaw left. The pilot added right rudder and power to correct to no avail. Subsequently, he reduced power, and the airplane exited the runway, impacted a ditch, and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot estimated that the wind was from 300° at 24 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 31. 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-Gusts-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven terrain-Contributed to outcome