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CEN15CA213

2014-11-23 · Mesquite, Texas, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport HQZ

Current FAA registration · N580

Make / Model
BELLANCA 8KCAB
Year of manufacture
1972 · 42 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES (150 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19720922
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A775E7

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which exceeded the airplane's maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity.

Factual narrative

During the landing on runway 17 a gust of wind pushed the tailwheel equipped airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct back to the runway centerline; the airplane exited the right side of the runway and spun 180 degrees. The left wing impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and stated that he lost control during landing. Around the time of the landing, the automated weather station reported the wind from 260 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots. A review of the airplane's flight manual revealed the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity was 17 knots. During the landing on runway 17 a gust of wind pushed the tailwheel equipped airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct back to the runway centerline; the airplane exited the right side of the runway and spun 180 degrees. The left wing impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and stated that he lost control during landing.  Around the time of the landing, the automated weather station reported the wind from 260 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots. A review of the airplane's flight manual revealed the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity was 17 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Maximum crosswind component-Capability exceeded - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Response/compensation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_CEN15CA213.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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