Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing with a crosswind.
NTSB analysis
During landing on Runway 23, the airplane floated more than the pilot expected, and then bounced 2 feet above the runway. As the airplane bounced, it encountered a gust of wind from the west and the pilot attempted unsuccessfully to control the airplane with braking and rudder inputs. The airplane subsequently ground looped and departed the right side of the runway, impacting a tree with the left wing. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot or identified during the examination. The recorded wind about the time of the accident, at an airport 11 miles to the southeast, was from 310 degrees at 9 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA242 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 14, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bessemer, Alabama
- Nearest airport
- Bessemer Airport (EKY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
North American SNJ
- N-number
- N269WB
- 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.