Cessna 305A N5312G accident near Fort Pierce, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go landings with the tailwheeled airplane to runway 27. During his seventh landing, the "wind velocity increased and a crosswind developed." As the airplane touched down, it veered to the left and departed the grass runway. The pilot reduced engine power and attempted to regain control; however, the airplane’s left wing impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. A weather observation taken approximately at the time of the accident, 15 miles from the accident site, recorded the wind as 190 degrees at 14 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA257 for the full record.