Cessna 210E N111BK accident near Williamsburg, Virginia

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a base-to-final turn with a gusting wind and potential turbulence/wind shear, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed just ahead of a broken line of thunderstorms and rain showers to the west of his flight path and flew south to his destination airport without incident. The pilot reported on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was turning from the airport pattern base leg to final approach. According to witnesses, the airplane passed beyond the extended runway centerline of runway 13, entered a steep right turn toward runway 13, pitched down, and descended at a steep angle behind a tree line. The airplane impacted trees and terrain about ½ mile from the approach end of the runway. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be from 180 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 28 knots. In addition, the area around the accident site was included in an airmen's meteorological information advisory for moderate turbulence and low-level wind shear. Postcrash examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13FA209 for the full record.