Event GAA19CA309

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the tail started to rise. The pilot corrected by pulling the yoke "fully back", but, subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots and variable from 130° to 200°. The airplane was landing on runway 21. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust, and the tail started to rise. The pilot corrected by pulling the yoke "fully back," but subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 21. 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-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on equipment