GAA20CA036

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, a "gust came up" and the airplane exited the runway to the right on to the sand hummocks, the landing gears collapsed, and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. 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 on an airport about 12 nm away reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 350° at 6 knots. The pilot reported that the was variable at 5 knots, gusting up to 15 knots. The airplane departed on runway 21. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, a "gust came up," and the airplane exited the runway to the right onto sand hummocks, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. 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

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
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven terrain-Effect on operation - C