Cirrus Design Corp SR22 N8159Z accident near Lafollette, Tennessee

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a go-around in gusty crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

After an uneventful cross-country flight, about 2 miles from his destination airport, the pilot noted a "significant crosswind component with gusty/windshear like conditions." He then established the airplane in a slip maneuver and continued his approach to land. While over the runway, after realizing he had passed his intended point of landing, the pilot applied full throttle, added right rudder and pitched the airplane to a climb attitude to initiate a go-around. The airplane was then struck by a "significant wind gust" and it veered to the left towards a tree line. The left wing made contact with a tree and then impacted the ground before coming to rest between two trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that could have precluded normal operation.

A witness' recount of the accident corroborated the pilot's statement. The winds at the time of the accident were gusting from the west.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14CA357 for the full record.