Probable cause
The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind condition and maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the crosswind.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was landing the amateur-built, experimental airplane on runway 26 with the local winds reported as 260 degrees at 4 knots. He reported that as the airplane was touching down, the left wing came up and the right wing and nose wheel touched down on the runway at the same time. The right wingtip sustained substantial damage and the nose gear folded under the fuselage. The pilot reported there was a "valley on either side of the runway" which "funneled a crosswind" of greater velocity than the winds of the surrounding area.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA099 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 7, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- French Lick, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- French Lick (FRH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Vans RV-6A
- N-number
- N551MP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.