CEN12CA233

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that there was a crosswind which was aggravated by a line of trees along the side of the runway, making the air turbulent. On the landing approach, he encountered turbulence or a downdraft, resulting in the airplane landing hard on its nose gear. The nose gear broke off and the airplane nosed over on its back resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot reported that there was a crosswind that was aggravated by a line of trees along the side of the runway, making the air turbulent. On the landing approach, the airplane encountered turbulence or a downdraft, which resulted in the airplane landing hard on its nose gear. The nose gear separated and the airplane nosed over on its back, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome