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WPR11CA251

2011-05-19 · Torrance, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KTOA

Current FAA registration · N81235

Make / Model
BOEING B75N1
Year of manufacture
1943 · 68 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES (250 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19780201
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AB13A9

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot was entering the pattern with the intent to land when the wind direction shifted and the air traffic controller requested the pilot land on the opposite runway. According to the pilot on short final at approximately 20 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a wind shear and the plane landed hard on the runway. Subsequently the airplane turned sharply left causing the right lower wing to contact the runway, damaging the main spar. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. The pilot was entering the traffic pattern with the intent to land, when the wind direction shifted and the air traffic controller requested the pilot land on the opposite runway. According to the pilot, when the airplane was on final approach at approximately 20 feet above ground level, it experienced windshear and landed hard on the runway. Subsequently the airplane turned sharply left causing the right lower wing to contact the runway, damaging the main spar. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Windshear-Response/compensation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_WPR11CA251.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.