Amateur-built ZODIAC 601 HD N318MH accident near Fredericksburg, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a gusting crosswind landing.

NTSB analysis

After a cross-country flight and as the pilot approached his destination airport, he checked the wind. After flying a normal traffic pattern for runway 14, he made two unsuccessful landing attempts. On the third attempt, the airplane experienced a wind gust, and the airplane banked 90 degrees. The pilot applied power; however, the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled twice and then came to rest inverted next to the runway. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. A review of the airport's automated weather reporting station report indicated that, about the time of the accident, the airplane would have experienced about a 15-knot crosswind gusting to 20 knots. The accident is consistent with a loss of control during windy conditions.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA447 for the full record.