Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of airplane control during landing due to a wind gust.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, the wind at the airport was from “082° at 7 knots” based on the automated observation. He entered a right traffic pattern and saw “no change” on the windsock before landing. After landing, the passenger commented that the windsock had changed. About that time, “the right wing came back up” and the airplane “swerved” to the right. The pilot initially added full engine power to go-around; however, he was unable to regain directional control and reduced engine power to idle. The airplane departed the runway and subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies which would have precluded normal operation. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage during the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA432 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 25, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Del Norte, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Astronaut Kent Rominger (RCV)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built THORP T-18
- N-number
- N18NH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1993
- 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.