GAA17CA503

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the approach to the desert airport, the wind had increased to about 15kts and gusting. During landing, he reported that, "a gust of wind hit me from the opposite direction of flight causing a stall." The airplane stalled about 8ft above runway 18 and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. The METAR at the nearest airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 4kts and the temperature was 95°F. The field elevation was 725ft and the density altitude was 3,315ft. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during the approach to the desert airport, the wind had increased to about 15 knots, and it was gusting. He reported that, during landing, "a gust of wind hit me from the opposite direction of flight causing a stall." The airplane stalled about 8 ft above the runway and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. The METAR at the nearest airport (7 miles from accident airport) reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 4 knots. An hour later, the METAR reported that the wind was 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Ability to respond/compensate
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation