Probable cause
The pilot's failure to compensate for crosswind conditions and maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that as the airplane settled on the runway, it passed several hangars and a hill, and the tail was pushed by a crosswind. The pilot tried to correct the movement but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway at 35-40 mph, pivoted up on the nose, twisted to the right, and settled back down on its landing gear. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA134 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 12, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Groveland, California
- Nearest airport
- Pine Mountain Lake (KE45)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built CHRISTEN EAGLE
- N-number
- N17AJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.