GAA19CA322

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during landing with a crosswind, prior to touchdown, a wind gust pushed the airplane left. The airplane touched down, the pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane exited the runway to the left. The left wing struck the ground and the empennage separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the 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 station, located 15 miles southwest, reported that, about 16 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was variable from 080° to 110° at 12 to 18 knots, gusting to 12 or 18 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 06. The pilot reported that, during landing with a crosswind, before touchdown, a wind gust pushed the airplane left. The airplane touched down, the pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane exited the runway to the left. The left wing struck the ground, and the empennage separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located 15 miles southwest of the accident site reported that, about 16 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was variable from 080° to 110° and gusting between 12 and 18 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 06. 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-Directional control-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