What happened
On December 19, 2025, at approximately 09:18 EST, an Alon A-2A, registration N818SW, was involved in an accident at Winter Haven Regional Airport (GIF) in Winter Haven, Florida. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal flight.
According to the pilot, the rudder control system functioned normally during taxi and throughout the flight. Following a smooth landing within the first 200 feet of the runway, the pilot attempted to maintain the runway centerline by applying right rudder. During an overcorrection involving left rudder input, the pilot heard a "pop" sound. Following this sound, the left rudder became loose and moved fully into position.
Unable to correct the resulting leftward veer with right rudder input, the pilot shut off the mixture, magneto, and electrical systems. The aircraft exited the runway onto the grass, where the left wing's tie-down ring struck a sign, causing damage to the left-wing main spar. The aircraft eventually came to a stop on a taxiway. The pilot was not injured.
Flight conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 230 degrees at 06 knots.