Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a wheel landing, the airplane began to drift to the left while the tail was still in the air. He added that he added right rudder to no avail. He added that he "went to full power too late", the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch to the left of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA178 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 23, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hartselle, Alabama
- Nearest airport
- Hartselle-Morgan County Region (5M0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Flightworks Corp CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD
- N-number
- N654MM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1995
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.