Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing in windy conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing on runway 29 at his destination airport. The winds were from 350 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 18 knots. During the landing rollout, he lost directional control and the airplane ground-looped. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway and impacted a taxiway location sign. The airplane came to rest on the right side of the runway, approximately 1,250 feet from the threshold. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing, both main landing gear, and the propeller. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA135 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 16, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Merritt Island, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Merritt Island (COI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
North American SNJ-5
- N-number
- N7861B
- 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.