Pilot Debrief

HERDER MICHAEL ZODIAC 601 HD near Fredericksburg, TX — 2014-08-21

Final reportCEN14LA447
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Date
2014-08-21
Location
Fredericksburg, TX, USA
Airport
T82
Aircraft
HERDER MICHAEL ZODIAC 601 HD
Registration
N318MH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a gusting crosswind landing.

NTSB narrative

After a cross-country flight and as the pilot approached his destination airport, he checked the wind. After flying a normal traffic pattern for runway 14, he made two unsuccessful landing attempts. On the third attempt, the airplane experienced a wind gust, and the airplane banked 90 degrees. The pilot applied power; however, the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled twice and then came to rest inverted next to the runway. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. A review of the airport's automated weather reporting station report indicated that, about the time of the accident, the airplane would have experienced about a 15-knot crosswind gusting to 20 knots. The accident is consistent with a loss of control during windy conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing after two unsuccessful attempts.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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