Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wind sock pole during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot and passenger were conducting a local flight when it became dark and they decided to divert to a nearby airport. As they approached the unlit airport, the left wing impacted the airport wind sock pole, located to the left of the approach end of the runway. Following the impact, the airplane collided with the ground. The accident occurred 2 minutes after the end of civil twilight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11LA096 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 11, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Warner Springs, California
- Nearest airport
- Warner Springs (CL3)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR
- N-number
- N57027
- 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.