GAA16CA401

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that during the landing roll in gusty right crosswind conditions the right wing lifted and the airplane drifted off the runway to the left. The airplane impacted terrain, which resulted in a collapsed nose gear and substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 050 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and sky clear. The airplane landed on runway 15. The student pilot reported that during the landing roll in gusty right crosswind conditions the right wing lifted and the airplane drifted off the runway to the left. The airplane impacted terrain, which resulted in a collapsed nose gear and substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 050 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and sky clear. The airplane landed on runway 15. 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-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-(general)-Contributed to outcome