Event CEN11CA288

Factual narrative

Following a cross-country flight, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane while landing, exited the side of the runway, and impacting several signs. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in an upright; nose down position. The airplane's right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the accident. Eight minutes after the accident, the automated weather observing system (AWOS) at the accident airport reported, winds variable at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the winds were variable, but before touchdown a gust of wind impacted the airplane, resulting in a misaligned landing. The pilot further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane while landing. He said that the airplane exited the side of the runway, and impacted several signs. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in an upright, nose down position. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot said that prior to touchdown the airplane encountered a gust of wind. He reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C