ERA13CA425

Factual narrative

The pilot/owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane said that the tower controller cleared him to land on runway 14, and advised that the wind was from 180 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 26 knots. The pilot elected to continue the landing, and during the landing roll, a "strong" gust of wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway, where it struck a runway light and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot/owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane said that the tower controller cleared him to land on runway 14, and advised that the wind was from 180 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 26 knots. The pilot elected to continue the landing, and during the landing roll, a "strong" gust of wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway, where it struck a runway light and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Response/compensation - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome