Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was hired to reposition the airplane for the owner. According to the owner who spoke with the pilot, during the landing, the pilot encountered gusty winds which caused him to lose airplane control and impact terrain adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The owner stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airplane owner completed the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] Form 6120.1), as the owner reported the pilot was uncooperative since the accident. The substantial damage to the airplane was reported to the NTSB on December 9, 2014, after a detailed inspection of the airplane damage was performed.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA533 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 31, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Grants, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Grants-Milan (GNT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aviat Aircraft Inc PITTS S 2B
- N-number
- N9YH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1996
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
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.