GAA19CA443

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during a touch and go landing, shortly after touchdown, the airplane veered left. He added power and the airplane pitched up, so "cut the power" and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed hard on the grass field next to the runway, struck runway lights and nosed over. The pilot added that the airplane was trimmed for landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 14 nautical miles north of the accident airport reported that: about 30 minutes before the accident, the wind was 190° at 12 knots, and about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was 220° at 11 knots The pilot reported that the wind was 030° at 10 to 15 knots, gusting up to 20 knots. The airplane touched down on runway 12. The pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go landing and shortly after touchdown, the airplane veered left. He added power, and the airplane pitched up, so he "cut the power" and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed hard on a grass field next to the runway, struck runway lights, and nosed over. The pilot added that the airplane was trimmed for landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 030° at 10 to 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. 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
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Effect on operation - C