Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions while landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot/owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane said that the tower controller cleared him to land on runway 14, and advised that the wind was from 180 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 26 knots. The pilot elected to continue the landing, and during the landing roll, a "strong" gust of wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway, where it struck a runway light and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA425 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 21, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Salisbury, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico (SBY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built ZODIAC 601HDS
- N-number
- N99KL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1999
- 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.