Flight Design Gmbh CTSW N414FS accident near Lewisville, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water. Contributing to the accident were crosswind gusts.

NTSB analysis

After an uneventful cross-country flight, the pilot checked the weather and then set up for a straight in approach for his destination airport. On final, the airplane floated in ground effect over the runway and the airplane touched down flat with minimal flare. During rollout, within a moment of having 3 wheels on the ground, a large gust of wind picked up the airplane’s right wing and turned the airplane toward some trees on the side of the runway. The pilot was not able to correct the turn, so he added power and executed a go-around. The pilot attempted to clear trees beyond the departure end of the runway, and the airplane stalled. The airplane descended and impacted into a lake adjacent to the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the composite firewall. A crosswind component of 15 knots and wind gusts of 23 knots were reported about the time of the accident. After the accident, the pilot stated that he should have diverted to another airport due to the combination of wind, gusts, and obstacles adjacent to the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA292 for the full record.