NTSB Factual Report

On June 26, 2009, about 1250 eastern daylight time, an Apollo Aircraft Inc. Monsoon weight-shift control special light sport aircraft, N308AA, was substantially damaged when it struck trees while landing at Kanona Airpark, Kanona, New York. The certificated student pilot incurred serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he was performing a local flight in the vicinity of Kanona Airpark when he noticed a storm was approaching. He then decided to return to the airpark, and attempt to land on runway 33, a 1500-foot-long by 75-foot-wide turf runway. During the landing, a "strong crosswind" pushed the aircraft to the right side of the runway, and the right wing struck a bush. The airplane pivoted around the bush, and flipped upside down. The pilot noted that at the time he encountered the crosswind, he was unable to perform a go-around since an insufficient amount of runway remained.

According to the manager of Kanona Airpark, shortly after the pilot departed on the accident flight, he contacted the pilot via radio to ask him for a "ride report." The pilot replied that the air was smooth at his altitude of 2,800 feet msl, and that he had departed the airport traffic pattern to the south. The manager then advised the pilot that the National Weather Service was forecasting thunderstorms for the area. The pilot stated that he had 8 gallons of fuel onboard, and that he would proceed to the north of the airport for about half an hour.

The manager left the airport for a short time and went to his home, which was located directly across the street from the airport. Some time later, the manager heard the pilot report via radio that he was approaching the airport. The manager also reported hearing the accident aircraft's engine sound increase, and presumed that the pilot was attempting a go-around. When the manager did not hear the pilot report via radio that he had landed and was taxiing, he proceeded back to the airport, and found the accident aircraft "sticking up where it had rolled over." The manager then offered assistance to the pilot, and the pilot was subsequently taken to a hospital via ambulance.

The manager reported that about the time of the accident, the airport windsock was "straight out," and indicating a crosswind. The grass runway was also still wet from the thunderstorm that had just passed through the area.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, a review of the pilot's records revealed that he possessed a student pilot certificate, with an endorsement that limited the pilot's flying to periods when wind speeds were less than 10 knots. The pilot, age 76, reported that he had logged 100 total hours of flight experience, all of which were in the accident aircraft make and model.

Examination of a placard found on the accident aircraft revealed that it was limited to operating in winds of 23 mph or less, and had a maximum crosswind component of 14 knots.

The 1321 weather observation at Dansville Municipal Airport, located 19 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, included variable winds at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility in light rain, scattered clouds at 3,100 feet, broken clouds at 4,300 feet, temperature 22 degrees C, dew point 18 degrees C, an altimeter setting of 29.74 inches of mercury, and the remark "lightning distant in all quadrants."

NTSB 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.