Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during the landing flare, which resulted in the left wing striking a tree.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while en route, he observed that his passenger was becoming ill and he reached for the "sick bags", but he was unable to reach them due to his seat belt. He decided to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road. During the landing flare, a wind gust "pushed the right wing up", the airplane drifted left, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane rotated counterclockwise and impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that the wind was from an unknown direction at 8 to 14 knots, gusting to 14 to 16 knots. The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles from the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots. The pilot was landing to the south.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA133