Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was completing a practice flight in an airplane which he had 3 hours of total flight experience. While on short final a gust of wind lifted the right wing, the airplane veered left, and he was unable to maintain control. The airplane landed hard in a field next to the runway and sustained substantial damage to the left and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
At the time of the accident the pilot was landing on runway 17. The nearest weather station recorded wind from 120° at 8 knots and gusts to 15 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA165 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 24, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Olney, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Olney Muni (ONY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT-502B
- N-number
- N6108L
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1995
- 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.