ERA12CA521

Factual narrative

The pilot stated she checked weather before departing on a maintenance flight in the airport traffic pattern. Some weather was located to the northwest. She departed and climbed to 1,000 feet above ground level, set the engine at cruise power, and completed the first traffic pattern. She started the second pattern and noticed the weather was moving towards the airport. As the airplane turned on to final approach, the winds increased, the airplane encountered strong turbulence, and her approach became unstable. She initiated a go-around; however, the airplane impacted the runway and came to rest inverted off the left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the airframe. Review of weather data revealed a wind shift occurred immediately prior to the accident, which was associated with nearby thunderstorms. The recorded wind speed about the time of the accident was 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots. The pilot stated that she checked the weather before departing on a maintenance flight in the airport traffic pattern; some thunderstorms were located to the northwest. She departed and climbed to 1,000 feet above ground level, set the engine at cruise power, and completed the traffic pattern. As she entered the pattern a second time, she noticed that the storms were moving toward the airport. As the airplane turned onto the final approach, the wind increased, the airplane encountered strong turbulence, and her approach became unstable. She then initiated a go-around; however, the airplane impacted the runway and came to rest inverted off of the left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed structural damage to the airframe. Review of weather data revealed that a wind shift associated with nearby thunderstorms occurred immediately prior to the accident. The recorded wind speed about the time of the accident was 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
• F Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Sudden wind shift-Ability to respond/compensate - F
• F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - F
• F Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Convective weather-Thunderstorm-Decision related to condition - F