CEN25LA145

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the initial leg of the cross-country flight proceeded normally. As he approached the airport to land on the return flight, a right 80° crosswind prevailed. The first two approaches to runway 36 were not stable, and he decided to execute go-arounds. On the third approach, the crosswind was then gusting to 17 knots; however, the approach seemed to be stable, and the pilot continued with the landing. As the main wheels touched down a wind gust from the right pushed the airplane off the runway. The pilot’s efforts to maintain directional control were not successful, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in the grass area adjacent to the runway with substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions that might have contributed to the loss of control. The recorded wind at the time of the accident was 070° at 11 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Contributed to outcome