Pilot Debrief

APOLLO AIRCRAFT INC MONSOON near Kanona, NY — 2009-06-26

Final reportERA09LA400
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Date
2009-06-26
Location
Kanona, NY, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
APOLLO AIRCRAFT INC MONSOON
Registration
N308AA
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control while landing in convective weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was his misjudgment of the approaching weather.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot departed the private airpark for a local flight after being advised via radio that convective weather was approaching the area. Upon noticing the weather, the pilot decided to return to the airpark and land. During the landing, a strong crosswind pushed the aircraft toward the right side of the runway and the right wing struck a bush. The aircraft subsequently flipped upside down, resulting in substantial damage and serious injury to the pilot. About the time of the landing, a witness noted that the airport windsock was "straight out," indicating a crosswind to the runway. The aircraft had a placarded limitation of a 14 knot maximum crosswind component, and the pilot had a restriction on his student pilot certificate limiting him to flying in winds of 10 knots or less.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to abort landing due to strong crosswind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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