Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing. Contributing to the accident were the gusting crosswind and the runway light.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with a 90-degree right crosswind of 11 knots, gusting to 15 knots. During touchdown the right wing began to rise as the airplane drifted to the left. The pilot stated that he "overcorrected" for the left drift and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway. The left wing was substantially damaged when it struck a runway light. According to the pilot, the accident could have been prevented if he had increased his landing speed, used less than full wing flaps, and had maintained directional control by keeping the upwind wing down longer during landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA107 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 20, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Zionsville, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Indianapolis Executive Airport (TYQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182T
- N-number
- N46EF
- 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.