Dehavilland DHC 1 N323WG accident near Cedartown, Georgia

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot in the experimental, tailwheel-equipped airplane, when the tailwheel touched down during the landing roll, the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and continued about 100 ft down sloping terrain where it came to rest upright.

The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot used a fire extinguisher from the airplane to spray the area of the smoke. However, the airplane continued smoking.

The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire.

The pilot reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The METAR nearest to the accident airport reported the same.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA011 for the full record.