Champion 7FC N7591B accident near Reidsville, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll in gusty wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, during landing the airplane "settled" onto runway 31. Then, a "gust of wind lifted" the left wing and he attempted to counteract the movement by applying aileron correction. However, the airplane veered to the left, struck a runway sign and a taxiway light, and then came to rest in a grassy area. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport around the time of the accident was from 250 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15CA013 for the full record.