Amateur-built STOL CH 701 N768HA accident near Berryton, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing on a grass runway at his private property, he "crabbed for the [cross] wind but did not neutralize the rudder pedals soon enough." He further reported that when the airplane touched down, the airplane veered off the runway to the right and the nose wheel collapsed in soft mud. During the runway excursion, the right wing impacted terrain and was substantially damaged.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observing system about the time of the accident, 5 nautical miles north of the accident site, recorded the wind at 160 degrees true at 4 knots. The pilot reported that he landed in a northeast direction.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA003 for the full record.