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Student Pilot and Instructor Experience Loss of Airspeed and Drift During Crosswind Landing Attempt (N26009)

Burlington, IA, US

On March 21, 1991, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N26009) operated by Remmers Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Burlington, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: DELAYED INITIATION OF REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE GUSTY CROSSWINDS, INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND NOT MAINTAINING AIRSPEED BY THE STUDENT PILOT, AND COMPLACENCY BY THE INSTRUCTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing attempt with a 15-knot gusting crosswind, a student pilot lost 15 knots of airspeed at 15 feet AGL, causing the aircraft to drift left and sink. The instructor initiated a go-around, but the aircraft struck VASI lights and landed hard left of the runway.

Incident Overview

A dual student pilot was attempting to land while the flight instructor reported a crosswind with a heading 40 degrees to the right of the runway and wind speeds of 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. At approximately 15 feet above ground level (AGL), a gust of wind resulted in a loss of 15 knots of airspeed. The aircraft subsequently began to drift to the left and developed a sink rate.

Instructor Intervention

The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and initiated a go-around. However, the aircraft struck Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) lights and executed a hard landing to the left of the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Mar 1991 Piper PA-38-112 accident near Burlington, IA?

During a landing attempt with a 15-knot gusting crosswind, a student pilot lost 15 knots of airspeed at 15 feet AGL, causing the aircraft to drift left and sink. The instructor initiated a go-around, but the aircraft struck VASI lights and landed hard left of the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Mar 1991 Piper PA-38-112 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Mar 1991 involved a Piper PA-38-112, registration N26009, operated by Remmers Aviation, at Burlington, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

DELAYED INITIATION OF REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE GUSTY CROSSWINDS, INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND NOT MAINTAINING AIRSPEED BY THE STUDENT PILOT, AND COMPLACENCY BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16576. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.