GAA18CA151

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that during the approach, the "winds got very powerful". He added that, the winds were "too strong and out of [his] capacity and personal minimums". During the landing, the airplane landed flat and bounced a couple of times. He then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 2 nautical miles from the accident site reported, that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 27. The solo student pilot reported that, during the approach, the "winds got very powerful," He added that the winds were "too strong and out of [his] capacity and personal minimums." During the landing, the airplane landed flat and bounced twice. He then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 2 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 27. 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-Landing flare-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-Crosswind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation