Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control during a go around.
NTSB analysis
The pilot checked the weather at his planned destination airport during the return leg of a cross-county flight. The wind speed was higher than his personal minimums, so he diverted to a nearby airport with reported calm wind. He entered the pattern for runway 11 and noticed that the wind was from the south. Prior to touchdown, the wind decreased and the airplane's nose tracked to the left. The pilot added power for a go-around but did not compensate with enough right rudder which aggravated the airplane's misalignment. The airplane touched down and exited the side of the runway. The airplane's left wing struck a taxiway sign resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that could have contributed to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA163 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 28, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Longmont, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Vance Brand (LMO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N41498
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1974
- 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.