Event CEN11CA354

Factual narrative

The pilot had just touched down on Runway 22 with a 12 knot cross wind when the wind suddenly gusted to 36 knots. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the unforecasted gust pushed the airplane to the side of the runway. The pilot told the inspector that he attempted to fly out of the condition by adding power and the airplane became airborne about three times; however, the landing gear became side-loaded and the right gear collapsed. The left wing also contacted the ground and sustained a two foot-wide gouge in the leading edge. Weather reported at the airport 10 minutes prior to the accident included wind from 260 degrees at 12 knots and rain showers in the vicinity of the airport. The sudden wind shift/gust was confirmed by the air traffic control tower and approximately one hour later the airport's automated weather observation system reported the wind shifted to 240 degrees and increased to 21 knots gusting to 28 knots. The pilot had just touched down with a 12-knot crosswind when the wind suddenly gusted to 36 knots and pushed the airplane off the runway. The pilot stated that he attempted to fly out of the condition by adding power, and the airplane became airborne about three times; however, the landing gear became side-loaded and the right gear collapsed. The left wing also contacted the ground and sustained a two foot-wide gouge in the leading edge. The sudden wind shift/gust was confirmed by the tower air traffic controller and approximately one hour later the airport's automated weather observation system reported the wind shifted to 240 degrees and increased to 21 knots gusting to 28 knots. 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 Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Sudden wind shift-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Contributed to outcome