Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he encountered a strong crosswind during landing on runway 33, a 3,875-foot-long, 66-foot-wide, turf runway. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the left and the pilot was "unable to recover". The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck an embankment, and nosed over. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the upper wing, empennage, and rudder. The pilot reported he did not experience any mechanical anomalies during the accident. The winds reported at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA182 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 13, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Okeechobee, Florida
- Nearest airport
- River Acres Airport (FD70)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built PITTS S-2E
- N-number
- N17CF
- 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.