Event GAA18CA211

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the approach to land, the sun was directly in his eyes. He added, the airplane drifted to the left and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane continued to the left, struck more trees, and came to rest off the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during the approach to land, the sun was directly in his eyes. He added that the airplane drifted to the left and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane continued to the left, struck more trees, and came to rest off the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Heading/course-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Glare-Effect on personnel - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome