Event CEN20CA117

Factual narrative

The private pilot was returning to land at his private airstrip after a local flight. He stated that the wind was strong and gusty. During the landing flare the airplane bounced and the pilot lost control of the airplane. The airplane departed the runway to the left; the left wing struck a tree and separated resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would preclude normal operations. The pilot reported that he was landing at his private airstrip and that the wind was strong and gusting. During the landing flare, the airplane bounced and then veered left. The airplane departed the runway, and the left wing struck a tree and separated, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation - C