American Legand Aircraft AL18 N23TN accident near Social Circle, Georgia

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he was conducting a low pass through an abandoned power line easement on a small lake peninsula. He was flying directly into the wind, and as the airplane approached hilly terrain, the wind changed. The airplane then encountered turbulence and impacted terrain. The airplane subsequently bounced, and the pilot applied "heavy braking, The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA131 for the full record.