Probable cause
An encounter with wind gusts, which resulted in a loss of control and a collapse of the nose landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he delayed his departure due to wind gusts. During the takeoff roll he encountered a wind gust and the airplane departed the runway surface momentarily. The airplane then rapidly entered a nose down attitude and subsequently landed hard. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage keel beam.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies could have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA107 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 7, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tusayan, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Grand Canyon Ntl Park (GCN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna T207A
- N-number
- N9317M
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
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.