CEN20CA163

Factual narrative

The pilot checked the weather at his planned destination airport during the return leg of a cross-county flight. The wind speed was higher than his personal minimums, so he diverted to a nearby airport with reported calm wind. He entered the pattern for runway 11 and noticed that the wind was from the south. Prior to touchdown, the wind decreased and the airplane's nose tracked to the left. The pilot added power for a go-around but did not compensate with enough right rudder which aggravated the airplane's misalignment. The airplane touched down and exited the side of the runway. The airplane's left wing struck a taxiway sign resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that could have contributed to the accident. The pilot checked the weather at his planned destination airport during the return leg of a cross-county flight. The wind speed was higher than his personal minimums, so he diverted to a nearby airport with reported calm wind. He entered the pattern for runway 11 and noticed that the wind was from the south. Prior to touchdown, the wind decreased and the airplane's nose tracked to the left. The pilot added power for a go-around but did not compensate with enough right rudder which aggravated the airplane's misalignment. The airplane touched down and exited the side of the runway. The airplane's left wing struck a taxiway sign resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that could have contributed to the accident. 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
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
• — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience-Pilot