Golden Circle Air T-Bird N7192M accident near Dallas Center, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate roll control of the light sport airplane while on final approach to the airstrip with a crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting his first flight after he purchased and reassembled the light sport airplane. He intended to fly to a nearby grass airstrip to practice touch-and-go landings. He reported that the wind was calm during the takeoff and cruise portions of the flight. During final approach to the intended airstrip, about 30 ft above the ground and 200 ft short of the airstrip, a wind gust from the right caused the airplane to roll left. The pilot increased engine power and attempted to level the airplane’s wings, but the left wing impacted the ground and the airplane spun to stop short of the runway. The airplane’s aluminum tube fuselage structure and left wing sustained substantial damage during the ground impact. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the light sport airplane. Based on the reported wind direction and speed at an airport located about 11 nautical miles from the accident site, there was likely a direct right crosswind of about 8 knots while the airplane was on final approach to the airstrip.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA172 for the full record.