On August 9, 1991, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N8444S) operated by Redwood Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Sunriver, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in an off-airport collision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot attempting a visual approach to runway 18 lost directional control during the landing flare due to strong gusty crosswinds, resulting in a collision with a tree near the airport.
What happened
Upon arriving in the vicinity of the airport, the pilot in command initiated a visual approach toward runway 18. During the final phase of the descent, the pilot identified strong westerly crosswind conditions affecting the aircraft's trajectory. Witnesses on the ground reported that the wind was notably gusty at the time.
As the aircraft entered the landing flare, the pilot failed to maintain adequate directional control. The aircraft began drifting to the left off the intended flight path. Attempts to execute a successful go-around were unsuccessful before the aircraft collided with a tree located approximately 200 feet east of the runway centerline.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in an off-airport collision.