Event GAA20CA057

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, while on final approach, the airplane was a little high, so he extended a notch of flaps. The airplane touched down slightly faster than normal and the airplane bounced. The pilot added power to maintain level flight, but a "strong and unexpected crosswind gust" pushed the airplane to the right. He initiated a go-around, but the airplane drifted to the right towards a row of trees at the end of the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane around these obstacles, but the right wing struck a tree, the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. The pilot reported that, while on final approach, the airplane was a little high, so he extended a notch of flaps. The airplane touched down slightly faster than normal and then bounced. The pilot added power to maintain level flight, but a "strong and unexpected crosswind gust" pushed the airplane right of the runway. The pilot immediately initiated a go-around, but the airplane was headed toward a row of trees at the end of the runway. The pilot banked slightly to try and avoid the trees, but the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. 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

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C