ERA12CA342

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane incurred a strong gust of wind during landing that lifted the left wing and subsequently the left main landing gear off the ground. He applied full right rudder in an attempt to compensate for the wind, but the airplane continued to veer off the left side of the runway, and struck a runway sign as well as a runway light. The airplane came to rest in a field which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport at around the time of the accident was 310 degrees at 10 knots gusting 21 knots. According to the pilot, during landing the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind. He applied full right rudder in an attempt to compensate for the wind, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck a runway sign and a runway light, and came to rest in a field; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from 290 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 15 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 Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C