CEN13CA026

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while attempting to land at the airport, he encountered turbulence just before the airplane touched down. The airplane alignment prior to touchdown was approximately 20 degrees off of runway centerline due to over-correction of the rudder. The pilot applied power to execute a go-around and the airplane began to porpoise as the pilot attempted to climb away from the runway. The airplane collided with trees and the wing and canard sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during each of three previous attempts to land at the destination airport, he encountered turbulence just before the airplane touched down and decided to perform go-arounds. He stated that during the accident landing, the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway centerline before touchdown due to his “over-correction of the rudder.” The pilot applied power to perform another go-around, and the airplane began to “porpoise” as the pilot attempted to climb away from the runway. The airplane collided with trees, and the wing and canard sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further stated that he was inexperienced in the accident airplane in turbulence near ground level and that he should have revised his destination to an airport with a wider runway and no nearby trees. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - C
• F Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot - F
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Terrain induced turbulence-Effect on operation