GAA18CA579

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that she initiated the landing flare and the airplane floated about 100 feet and landed normally. About 400 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, exited the right side of the runway and collided with taxiway lights prior to coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage intermediate bulkhead. She reported that during landing the windsock indicated "no wind." However, after the accident she and her passenger witnessed dust devils close to the runway. The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that she initiated the landing flare and that the airplane floated about 100 ft and landed normally. About 400 ft into the landing roll, the airplane veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and collided with taxiway lights before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage intermediate bulkhead. The pilot reported that, during landing, the windsock indicated "no wind." However, after the accident, she and her passenger saw dust devils close to the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's METAR reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 30. 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-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Dust devil/whirlwind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome