Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA MKII N439FJ accident near Nacogdoches, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the initial leg of the cross-country flight proceeded normally. As he approached the airport to land on the return flight, a right 80° crosswind prevailed. The first two approaches to runway 36 were not stable, and he decided to execute go-arounds. On the third approach, the crosswind was then gusting to 17 knots; however, the approach seemed to be stable, and the pilot continued with the landing. As the main wheels touched down a wind gust from the right pushed the airplane off the runway. The pilot’s efforts to maintain directional control were not successful, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway.

The airplane came to rest in the grass area adjacent to the runway with substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions that might have contributed to the loss of control. The recorded wind at the time of the accident was 070° at 11 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA145 for the full record.