Amateur-built Glastar N248DW accident near Vacaville, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and a lack of experience in conventional gear airplanes.

NTSB analysis

The pilot took off with the intent of flying around the traffic pattern. The pilot's first two attempted landings terminated in go-arounds after the airplane experienced a series of bounces on the runway. On the third attempted landing, the pilot lost directional control. The airplane swerved off the runway and went into a ditch. The pilot's experience flying tailwheel airplanes was 3 hours and he had not received a flight instructor's endorsement to act as pilot-in-command of tailwheel equipped airplanes. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA048 for the full record.