Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that during the landing roll on runway 21, the airplane encountered a strong crosswind and veered sharply to the left. He attempted to correct the movement with aileron and rudder inputs and by retracting the flaps. The airplane continued left, departed the left side of the runway, and the left wing struck a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The recorded wind was from 250 degrees at 6 knots about the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, nor did the pilot report any.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA476 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 24, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hilton Head, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Hilton Head Airport (HXD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney Airplane Co Inc M20TN
- N-number
- N212D
- 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.