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GAA19CA149

2019-02-24 · Springfield, Illinois, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SPI

Current FAA registration · N8436S

Make / Model
ZENITH STOL CH 701
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AB8E39

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper crosswind correction during taxi operations in gusting crosswind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, after landing, while taxiing in gusting wind conditions, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. He added that, a few minutes after the airplane was righted, it flipped over again. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 270° at 27 knots, gusting to 41 knots. The pilot reported that, after landing, while taxiing in gusting wind conditions, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. He added that, a few minutes after the airplane was righted, it flipped over again. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 270° at 27 knots, gusting to 41 knots. 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-Crosswind correction-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA19CA149.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.