GAA18CA446

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane "hit some turbulence" and it "felt like the bottom dropped out". Subsequently, the airplane landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing front spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported on the NTSB form 6120 that the wind was light and variable. The automated weather observation system about 19 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 18. The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane "hit some turbulence," and it "felt like the bottom dropped out." Subsequently, the airplane landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing front spar. 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 the wind was light and variable. The automated weather observation system about 19 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 18. 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-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation