GAA19CA243

Factual narrative

The biplane pilot reported that, while on short final, immediately after crossing the end of the runway, about 10 feet above the ground, he increased the throttle setting to maintain 60 mph. About 5 to 8 ft above the ground, the airplane "sank rapidly", landed hard, and the right landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and nosed over. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located on an airport about 13 nm away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 170° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that, at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, the wind was 230º at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. The pilot of the biplane reported that, while on short final, immediately after crossing the end of the runway and while about 10 ft above ground level, he increased the throttle setting to maintain 60 mph. He added that, about 5 to 8 ft above the ground, the airplane "sank rapidly" and landed hard, and the right landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and nosed over. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation - C