GAA19CA215

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that about 30 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge needle entered the yellow (caution) arc. The pilot made a precautionary landing at the nearest airport. However, he decided to land on the grass on the right side of the asphalt runway. Before landing, he overflew the grass surface to evaluate the surface condition, and he performed a touch-and-go to further assess the surface condition. The third approach and the landing were normal, but during the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels encountered, "a soft patch of muddy soil," and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the only mechanical malfunction that occurred, was specific to the oil pressure gauge. The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, about 30 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge needle entered the yellow (caution) arc. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing at the nearest airport and to land on the grass on the right side of the asphalt runway. Before landing, he overflew the grass surface twice and then conducted a touch-and-go landing to assess the surface condition. The third approach and landing were normal, but during the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels encountered "a soft patch of muddy soil," and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the only mechanical malfunction that occurred was specific to the oil pressure gauge. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Decision related to condition - C