FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Tailwheel Airplane Strikes Trees After Landing Overcorrection

Roopville, GA, United States

On November 22, 2016, a HUNDLEY MICHAEL J VANS RV8 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Roopville, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s overcorrection with the right rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a 3-point landing, a tailwheel airplane drifted left, the pilot overcorrected, and it exited the runway and hit trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and fuselage.

Sequence of Events

The accident occurred during the landing phase of a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot was performing a three-point landing when the airplane began to drift to the left. He applied right rudder and brake to correct, but reported that he "obviously overcorrected," causing the airplane to veer to the right. Despite applying left rudder and brake, the pilot was unable to stop the rightward movement. The airplane exited the runway and impacted trees.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Recommendation

As a safety recommendation, the pilot stated that he should have conducted a wheel landing to provide more directional control during the landing roll.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Nov 2016 HUNDLEY MICHAEL J VANS RV8 UNDESIGNAT accident near Roopville, GA?

During a 3-point landing, a tailwheel airplane drifted left, the pilot overcorrected, and it exited the runway and hit trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and fuselage.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Nov 2016 HUNDLEY MICHAEL J VANS RV8 UNDESIGNAT accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Nov 2016 involved a HUNDLEY MICHAEL J VANS RV8 UNDESIGNAT, at Roopville, GA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s overcorrection with the right rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion.

More accident analyses