Amateur-built THORP T 18 N600HH accident near Troy, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while landing in crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

During a personal flight, the private pilot reported that he made one pass over the runway, which was oriented east to west, and noted a crosswind from the southwest. During final approach, the pilot extended the flaps "one notch" to add "a little speed" to compensate for the crosswind. The pilot then looked down at the instrument panel to check the rate of descent; when he looked back outside, he saw a small tree limb near the airplane's right wing tip. The pilot made a left control input, but the right wing tip impacted the tree, and the airplane turned slightly to the right. The airplane impacted several other trees and then nosed down into the ground. The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA095 for the full record.