GAA17CA192

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, as the tires touched down a wind gust lifted the airplane back into the air. The airplane drifted to the left off the runway centerline and he added full power initiating a go-around. The airplane suddenly banked "uncontrollably" to the left, the left wing struck the ground, which resulted in the airplane coming to rest on its belly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located on the airport, showed that about the time of the accident the wind was 270° at 39 knots, gusts to 51 knots. The pilot landed on runway 21. Cirrus Pilot Operating Handbook reports for crosswind landing: Normal crosswind landings are made with full flaps. Avoid prolonged slips. After touchdown, hold a straight course with rudder and brakes as required. The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. Operation in direct crosswinds of 21 knots has been demonstrated. The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, as the tires touched down, a wind gust lifted the airplane off the ground. The airplane drifted to the left off the runway centerline, and he added full power to initiate a go-around. The airplane suddenly banked "uncontrollably" to the left, and the left wing struck the ground, which resulted in the airplane coming to rest on its belly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 270° at 39 knots, gusting to 51 knots. The pilot landed on runway 21. The Pilot's Operating Handbook stated that, for crosswind landing,         Normal crosswind landings are made with full flaps. Avoid prolonged slips. After touchdown, hold a straight course with rudder and brakes as required. The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. Operation in direct crosswinds of 21 knots has been demonstrated. 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-Crosswind correction-Capability exceeded - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate