GAA19CA260

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing the airplane suddenly veered left, ground looped left, exited the runway and nosed over. Upon further examination the airplane had a blown right tire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Photos of the tire damage provided by the FAA are consistent with sideloading the right main landing gear during a ground loop to the left. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 knots. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, the airplane suddenly veered left, ground looped, exited the runway, and nosed over. Examination revealed that the airplane had a blown right tire and that it had sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of photographs of the tire damage provided by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the damage was consistent with sideloading of the right main landing gear during the ground loop to the left. 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C