Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during final approach, which resulted in impact with a tree.
NTSB analysis
The sport pilot was conducting a personal, local flight when the airplane's left wingtip impacted a tree while on final approach to the runway. The pilot stated that, during final approach, he was fixated on maintaining the proper landing airspeed and that he inadvertently allowed the airplane to drift north of the final approach course into the tree. The airplane then spun around the tree and descended nose down to ground impact. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19LA045 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 15, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lodi, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Lodi Lakeland Airport (9WN5)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Sonex
- N-number
- N393SX
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2014
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.