Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control while landing with gusting winds.
NTSB analysis
The sport pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing on Runway 03. The pilot had checked weather conditions approximately 15 minutes prior, and the winds were from 360 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. During this landing, the winds were reported to be from 360 degrees at approximately 8 knots. The pilot decided to angle his landing on the runway approximately 20 degrees, since the weight-shift airplane did not require a long ground run. Upon touchdown, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off the side of the runway. The pilot corrected back to the runway and attempted to take off. Another gust of wind lifted one side of the wing resulting in a loss of directional control. The weight-shift airplane rolled inverted before coming to rest on the runway, causing substantial damage to the fabric wing, wing spars, and suspension cables.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA362 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 15, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Alamogordo, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Alamogordo-White Sands Regiona (KALM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Airborne Windsports Pty Ltd XT-912
- N-number
- N594VZ
- Category
- Weight-shift
- 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.