Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control following an encounter with gusty crosswind during landing.
NTSB analysis
After an uneventful 40-minute cross-country flight, the pilot set up to land his tailwheel airplane. The pilot checked with the tower and the controller reported the wind from 240° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot set up to land on runway 22. The pilot stated that upon landing, the airplane encountered a strong gusty crosswind and he lost directional control. The airplane veered to the left across the runway surface and flipped inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, wing struts, and fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18CA176 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 18, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Double Eagle II Airport (AEG)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 18
- N-number
- N7265K
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1950
- 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.