Probable cause
THe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident were gusty crosswinds.
NTSB analysis
During the landing rollout in gusty wind conditions, the commercial pilot applied too much pressure on the heel brake of his tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane, which caused the tail to rise. The wind then carried the airplane over on to its back, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing strut and vertical stabilizer.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA261 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 20, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mckinney, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Collin County Regional Airport (TKI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Legend AL-3C
- N-number
- N273MS
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.