GAA18CA135

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 30, about 10 miles per hour, in gusting wind conditions, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut, the rudder and the vertical stabilizer. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 27kts and gusting to 40kts. The manufacture's pilot operating handbook specified that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component during takeoff or landing was 15 knots. The calculated crosswind component for the specified conditions was 29 knots. 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 landing roll on runway 30, about 10 miles per hour, in gusting wind conditions, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut, the rudder and the vertical stabilizer. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 27 kts and gusting to 40 kts. The manufacturer's pilot operating handbook specified that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component during takeoff or landing was 15 knots. The calculated crosswind component for the specified conditions was 29 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Maximum crosswind component-Capability exceeded - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Capability exceeded - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wall/barricade-Contributed to outcome