GAA20CA045

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, the airplane encountered crosswind gusts from the left, and the pilot aborted the landing. The airplane drifted to the right and over the runways edge, and the tailwheel struck the brush off the right side of the runway. The airplane's airspeed decreased and the left wing "dipped into the wind." The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 90° at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 17. 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, during landing, the airplane encountered crosswind gusts from the left, and he aborted the landing. The airplane drifted right over the runway edge, and the tailwheel struck brush. The airplane's airspeed decreased, and the left wing "dipped into the wind." The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear, and it collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, 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-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation - C