Amateur-built STOL CH701 N237FC accident near Blaine, Minnesota

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported the accident occurred while landing following the Phase 1 test flight. During the landing roll, with the nosewheel still off the runway, the airplane suddenly pitched down and veered left. The pilot attempted to regain directional control with a right rudder pedal input, but the airplane continued to veer left and departed off the side of the runway into the grass where the nose landing gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground. The fuselage and right wing sustained substantial damage during the runway excursion. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 27 with wind from 320° at 4 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA258 for the full record.