Amateur-built LM-5X-W N970CE accident near Limington, Maine

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with a tree during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that despite the winds being calm at the surface, shortly after departing for the accident flight he encountered gusty wind above the trees near the airport. He continued around the traffic pattern and planned to land in an area of grass next to the paved runway. During the final approach to land, a sudden gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right of the runway toward trees and a hangar. The pilot described that there was not enough time to initiate a go around before the airplane contacted a tree and then the hangar. The airplane came to rest upside down on the ground and the fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA243 for the full record.