Magnaghi Aeronautica Spa SKY ARROW LSA N458SA accident near West Lafayette, Indiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed while landing in gusting winds, which resulted in a hard landing and a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the approach, the airplane encountered wind gusts. During the landing as the pilot reduced power and began the landing flare, the airplane continued to descend. The pilot realized there was a problem but did not have time to initiate a go around. The airplane struck the ground hard and went off the side of the runway coming to a stop in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the landing gear box. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the airplane was landing on runway 28 with winds 310o at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA292 for the full record.