Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control while landing in convective weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was his misjudgment of the approaching weather.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot departed the private airpark for a local flight after being advised via radio that convective weather was approaching the area. Upon noticing the weather, the pilot decided to return to the airpark and land. During the landing, a strong crosswind pushed the aircraft toward the right side of the runway and the right wing struck a bush. The aircraft subsequently flipped upside down, resulting in substantial damage and serious injury to the pilot. About the time of the landing, a witness noted that the airport windsock was "straight out," indicating a crosswind to the runway. The aircraft had a placarded limitation of a 14 knot maximum crosswind component, and the pilot had a restriction on his student pilot certificate limiting him to flying in winds of 10 knots or less.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA400 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 26, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kanona, New York
- Nearest airport
- Kanona Airpark (NONE)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Apollo Aircraft Inc MONSOON
- N-number
- N308AA
- Category
- Weight-shift
- 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.