Mooney M20M N5287S accident near Ben Bolt, Texas

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that storms were approaching as the airplane approached the airport. After crossing the arrival end of the runway, the pilot heard a wind shift while listening to the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). He attempted a crosswind landing, the airplane bounced twice, and he attempted a go-around. The pilot noticed a positive rate of climb on the airplane’s altimeter, and he retracted the landing gear. The airplane then pitched up, yawed left, and the pilot attempted to level the wings using aileron and rudder, however the airplane would not respond to the pilot’s control inputs. The airplane impacted terrain and slid across the grass into a tree resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, engine mount, and both wings.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane and that he lost control due to the strong wind and the initial bounced landing attempt. The pilot reported the wind to be variable at 13 to 20 kts at the time of the accident. The maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for landing with the airplane is 13 kts.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA228 for the full record.