Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind during landing rollout. Contributing to the accident was the gusting crosswind condition.
NTSB analysis
The pilot landed to the south on the turf/grass area alongside runway 18. During the landing rollout, the airplane encountered a wind gust and cartwheeled. The pilot stated that the airplane was traveling at a "fairly slow speed" when it encountered the wind gust. The tricycle-landing gear airplane came to rest upright and the pilot exited without injury. The cabin roof was crushed, both wing spars were bent, and the engine firewall was damaged. The local area winds were out of the west at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA148 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 17, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Delphi, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Delphi Municipal Airport (1I9)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-135
- N-number
- N1601P
- 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.