Amateur-built CH 750 CRUISER N355VT accident near East Troy, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he and the pilot-rated passenger were practicing takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the fifth touch-and-go landing, a left quartering wind gust lifted the airplane’s tail and the airplane landed hard on the nose landing gear. The nose wheel separated, and the airplane came to rest on its nose in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. 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 26 with wind variable at 5 knots, gusting to about 12 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA231 for the full record.