Event GAA19CA227

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a "strong" wind gust. The airplane touched down on the left side of the runway centerline. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot felt as though the airplane was being pushed further to the left side of the runway. He recalled that the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder, and he leveled the wings, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR for the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 11 knots, and gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25. The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a "strong" wind gust. The airplane touched down on the left side of the runway centerline. The pilot stated that, when the tailwheel touched down, it felt as though the airplane was being pushed further to the left side of the runway. He recalled that the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder, and he leveled the wings, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR for the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25. 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-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Effect on operation - C