Summary
On October 10, 2008, a Pegasus Aviation Quantum (N5125A) was involved in an accident near West Terre Haute, IN. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind during the go-around. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind condition and the trees.
The experimental weight-shift control aircraft was attempting to land on a north/south private grass airstrip when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the winds were from the east at 10-15 knots. A nearby weather station recorded the wind to be from the southeast at 10 knots. The crosswind limitation for the airplane was 10 mph (9 knots), according to the aircraft operation manual. The pilot initially attempted a low pass over the runway heading south, but was unable to compensate for the crosswind and the airplane drifted to the right. He elected to perform a go-around and attempt a landing to the north. During the subsequent approach, he was unable to maintain runway heading again and elected to go-around.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA013. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5125A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind during the go-around. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind condition and the trees.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The experimental weight-shift control aircraft was attempting to land on a north/south private grass airstrip when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the winds were from the east at 10-15 knots. A nearby weather station recorded the wind to be from the southeast at 10 knots. The crosswind limitation for the airplane was 10 mph (9 knots), according to the aircraft operation manual. The pilot initially attempted a low pass over the runway heading south, but was unable to compensate for the crosswind and the airplane drifted to the right. He elected to perform a go-around and attempt a landing to the north. During the subsequent approach, he was unable to maintain runway heading again and elected to go-around. During the go-around the airplane drifted into trees off the side of the runway.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA013