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CEN24LA116

2024-02-19 · Laotto, Indiana, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N358AK

Make / Model
HOFFMAN FARM & FLIGHT LLC CCX-2000
Year of manufacture
2022 · 2 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-390 SER (210 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20220315
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A4028F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s improper decision to continue an approach with his vision obscured by sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a tree.

Factual narrative

The pilot was on final approach to a private grass airstrip. He stated that his vision was obscured due to the sun glaring off a nearby pond. The airplane drifted left of the intended touchdown point and struck a small tree. The pilot was unable to see the tree in time to avoid the collision. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have not continued the approach with obscured vision. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Glare-Contributed to outcome
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_CEN24LA116.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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