Amateur-built Model 5 N619MS accident near Livingston, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion, and a collision with a building. Contributing to the accident were the obstacles at the airstrip that prevented the pilot from performing a go-around.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he performed a landing to a remote private grass airstrip surrounded by about 80 ft tall trees, on all sides. At about 40 mph during the rollout on the dry grass, a “strong wind gust lifted the right wing.” The pilot applied full right aileron and full right rudder, but they had “no effect,” nor was the right brake “effective.” The airplane departed the runway, impacted a hangar, and came to rest upright. The pilot and passenger were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.

The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that he did not initiate a go-around due to the airstrip being “narrow” and both the tall trees and the hangar “being in the way.”

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA265 for the full record.